Thai Tsunami 3yrs on - Tourist Return (53 images)

Three years after the devastating tsunami hit Southern Thailand the tourist trade is finally getting close to a full recovery. Khao Lak area in Phang Nga Province was the most seriously affected in Thailand. Thousands of holiday makers, locals and immigrant workers lost there lives on boxing day 2004, when 3 waves up to 10m high hit the beach resort. Many more people also lost there homes and jobs. Providing new jobs and rebuilding a strong local economy is essential to rebuild the...
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Three years after the devastating tsunami hit Southern Thailand the tourist trade is finally getting close to a full recovery. Khao Lak area in Phang Nga Province was the most seriously affected in Thailand. Thousands of holiday makers, locals and immigrant workers lost there lives on boxing day 2004, when 3 waves up to 10m high hit the beach resort. Many more people also lost there homes and jobs. Providing new jobs and rebuilding a strong local economy is essential to rebuild the community. The UNDP estimated that 120,000 people lost their tourism related jobs to the tsunami. Since then there has been a major effort by governmental, non government and residents to get the hotels and resorts open.

This tourist season (which runs during the dry season from October until May) is the first time that holiday makers have returned to Khao Lak in significant numbers. Hotels and resorts in this area have a very acceptable 80% booking and occupancy rate. The Laguna resort which reopened in October had 69 out of 100 functioning rooms full (on 12/12/2007). Sao, a waitress there moved here to work in November said "Its fun, but hard work. we are very busy". This resort was rebuilt from nothing and provides jobs for many local people.

Nearly all the buildings on low lying land where completely destroyed by the tidal wave leaving vast areas of barren ground. The last 3 years has seen huge construction projects. Everything has been being rebuilt from the ground up with the faith that holiday makers will return...continued
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