THAILAND
 As the Indian Ocean region stabilises, it appears that Thailand, thanks to a more developed infrastructure, may be able to recover more quickly than places such as Sumatra and Sri Lanka, which have the highest numbers of casualties. Still, many postings report that everyone speaks of pulling together, rebuilding and surviving.
In the waters of Myanmar, the Burma Banks had no damage, and the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar was largely unaffected. The liveaboard Ocean Rover was there when the tsunami hit Phuket and did not experience any large waves, only weird currents.
Damage on Koh Lanta is considerable. Phi Phi Island and the coastal tourist town of Khao Lak (50 km north of Phuket) have been most severely hit.
Loveya Hugya Needya of Equador wrote of witnessing an 8+-meter-high wave hitting Khao Lak and the surrounding area. JP Vuorio writes of seeing a 20-meter-long navy boat lying two kilometers from sea coast in the middle of Khao Lak.
The majority of properties along the mainland of Krabi have escaped damage, but Kamala Bay has experienced some damage. Patong Beach celebrated New Year's Eve in subdued fashion with a memorial service near the beach.
In Phuket and Khao Lak, emergency relief aid is now in place with no immediate need for further shipments.
Phuket
Reports indicate that Phuket was struck relatively hard, but due to its infrastructure, damage is less than first feared, limited generally to resorts directly on the west-coast beaches. The flights in and out of Phuket are returning to normal.
The people who were killed or injured in Phuket were on the beach or close to shore at the time the wave hit, plus there was little or no warning prior to the wave. At present there have been no accidents reported at sea involving divers. However, a group of day-divers (three, at last report) from Phi-Phi Islands are reported to have died while diving in the popular Emerald Cave.
There are several reputable organizations in Phuket setting up relief funds. One such organization is the Rotary Club of Patong Beach. The fund aims to supply immediate as well as long-term financial aid (e.g., scholarships) for children who lost their parents in the tsunami. You can make a donation online at http://www.rotarypatong.org.
Chris Fox, World of Diving and Adventure Vacations, shared these notes he has received from clients traveling to Phuket:
How are you, Chris? Things are fine. Just got off the boat and made it into the Marina Phuket, a beautiful exotic place. Diving was okay, no bodies to recover and very little damage, if anything. Patong got whacked, but cleanup going very well and hard to tell anything happened at all. Visibility was so-so and very little pelagic action compared to usual, as the locals have told me, maybe due to the tsunami.
Weather's been great and people very nice. I don't know how the Thais eat this spicy stuff all the time. Otherwise, just settling in to my luxury room here to rest up and meet some of my many new friends for a night in Patong. Hope things are well on your end.
Best,
Mike
===
Chris,
Having a wonderful time. the Anggun is top-notch, and the diving was wonderful. The reef looks sound and healthy. Good sea life and good color and plenty of fish. The night dives were particularly good.
Tell everyone to come diving in Phuket! It is great. We have seen no damage on land or sea. More details when we get home...
Tia and John
Andaman Sea
The tsunami waves caused destruction in four specific dive sites in the Andaman Sea. The rest of the sites remain intact and are as beautiful as ever, reports say. The MY Aqua One survey team reported the good visibility and a high density of marine life there several days after the tsunamis.
The sites that were affected in the Similyan Isalnds are Breakfast Bend, Island #7 and part of Deep Six, to the north of Island #6. Koh Tachai was badly damaged, but only a limited number of sites (mainly shallow reefs) in the Surin Islands have been affected.
Andaman Island was badly damaged. Foreign boats are requested to stay away from the island until further notice. The infrastructures and the authorities are still involved in the relief efforts.
East of Eden, off Island #6, remains as undamaged and all the wrecks appear intact. Island #5 shows minimal damage, with its Garden Eels still flourishing. The reefs are teeming with life and are as vibrant as before. The wreck of the Chinese Fishing Boat located just east of Island #4 is perfectly intact.
Richelieu Rock remains vibrant with its soft coral and teeming marine inhabitants. Red and Purple Rocks, located south of Phuket, were not affected.
Dive sites in the Mergui area in Myanmar have not been affected by the tsunami waves at all, it is reported. Sharks and other pelagic were still at Heckford and New Banks but not at Silvertip Bank.
The Ocean Rover is scheduled to carry relief supplies to the islands in the Andaman Sea.
- Based on reports by Patchara Carlson of Aquasports; Jeroen Deknatel, Fantasea Divers - Ocean Rover Cruises; the team of M/Y Anggun; the Sea-Bees Diving Team
For more info on Phuket, visit:
Thailand Resorts List
ATTA, the Association of Thai Travel Agents, has compiled damage reports of a number of resorts.
In addition, several hotels have released statements.
See pictures from Katathani Hotel, Kata Beach, Phuket.
Thailand Liveaboards and Dive Boats
Heike Garcon-Suiheran of Anggun Charter Co. Ltd., writes:
Phuket and the dive industry is still operation: daytrip boats and liveaboards are going out. Everything is running normal. The airport is fully operational but there are delays, since many flights are coming from all over the world with staff to help the cleaning personnel in Khao Lak and Phi Phi.
Since the disaster we have not had any problems with drinking water, food or power cuts. I know it is hard to believe, but if you could see Chalong, Kata, Karon and the main part of Patong you would see that there is everything like it is before.
We, all the dive operators in Phuket are working very hard to get the true picture of Phuket out. Here is a link so you can take a look:
http://www.liveaboard-thailand.com/tsunami.html#pictures
Jim Heggie and Nancy Chase of LiveWell Ventures Travel write:
The M/Y Aqua One and its crew are safe and on its way to Similyan National Park and surrounding areas to check out the dive sites. All trips will remain as scheduled, with the Thailand dive sites to be decided after the survey trip.
The Ocean Rover and other Phuket liveaboard operations say they and their vessels, crew, and passengers are fine. Infrastructures are problematic for some.
Sea-Bees Diving notes that the reefs around Phuket are “all right” and that Shark Point, Anemone Reef, Koh Doc Mai and the King Cruiser are relatively undamaged
Einar Meling, President & CEO, Viking Cruises (Thailand) Co. Ltd., writes:
Needless to say, it is an incredibly tough time for all of us just now. For those of us who have been fortunate enough to be unhurt the challenge is now to try to assist those who desperately need help.
What the future will bring is most uncertain. Just now our priorities are to help the best we can and to ensure that we act in a manner that is prudent under the circumstances. We will do our best to keep you informed about what will happen and how we will proceed when the overall situation will be clearer to us.
Please be aware that we have experienced great difficulties with communications as the use of telephones in and out of Phuket has been nearly impossible due to overload of the networks. This problem seems to be somewhat reduced now, but we do not expect things to be back to normal for quite some time. For this reason, even inter-company communication on Phuket Island – between our office and crew and staff – has been very difficult, sometimes impossible.
On behalf of our crew, staff and myself, I would like to express our deeply felt appreciation for the overwhelming kindness and support shown us during these very difficult days. We have received many hundred of emails expressing concern for our safety, as well as with offers of help in various ways. Due to the very difficult situation here it has not been possible for us to reply to each and one of you personally, which is why I send you this email. Even though we are unhurt and physically well, the help that we have received is highly appreciated. It has been very valuable.
MALDIVES
The small island nation in the central Indian Ocean (located southwest of the southern tip of India) reports considerable damage to the islands. The effect to the diving community has been estimated as minimal, however, according to Director General of Health Services Dr. Abdul Azeez Yoosuf.
Resort operators are saying that the Maldives’ peculiar geography – the archipelago’s 1,190 tiny islands average about one meter (three feet) above sea level, making it by some calculations the world’s lowest-lying country – may also have ensured that damage was less serious than it was on the coasts of Thailand, Sri Lanka and India.
Although the Maldives’ low height meant the tsunami moved completely across many islands, it also ensured the wave didn’t rise and break as it hit land.
Reports are that tourism is already back in operation in the Maldives, but keep in mind conditions are changing, our reports are unofficial, and many of these places desperately need to resume their tourist income so there is a possibility of overly optimistic reports.
The Tourist Bureau reports only 19 of the country’s 87 resorts have completely closed, and more than 8,500 tourists were in the country. This works out to a hotel occupancy rate of 52 percent: far less than the 90 percent that would be normal at this time of year, but not a collapse of the industry.
Here’s our unofficial list of resort status for the Maldives. As for liveaboards we have heard the Manthiri is intact and operational, and we are trying to check the status of others.
Seventeen resorts were hit badly by the tsunami. Twelve others were only partially affected, with some rooms closed down for repair but otherwise fully operational. The remaining 56 resorts, however, are operating in full swing. Male International Airport closed for a day on 26 December and resumed operations the following day. International flights are operating normally.
Closed Resorts
- Club Med, Kani
- Dhonveli Beach
- Four Seasons
- Fun Island
- Gasfinolhu
- Hakura Club
- Kandooma
- Kihadhuffaru
- Medhufushi
- Olhuveli
- One & Only Kanuhura
- Rihivelhi
- Soneva Gili
- Taj Exotica
- Velavaru
- Vilu Reef
- White Sands
Resorts with some rooms closed but otherwise in full operation:
- Alimatha
- Boduhithi
- Club Medu - Faru
- Dhiggiri
- Gangehi
- Moofushi
- Nika
- Paradise Isalnd
- Ranveli
- Reethi Beach
- Taj Coral
- Veligandu Island
Reported by Jeroen Deknatel, Managing Director, Fantasea Divers - Ocean Rover Cruises
Informations et Situation aux Maldives
Chers Clientes, Clients et Plongeurs,
Devant la tragédie qui frappe l’Asie du Sud Est, toute l’équipe Abyss tient à vous faire part de sa profonde émotion et s’associe à la douleur des proches de toutes les victimes.
Nous tenons à nouveau à rassurer ceux et celles qui ont des proches en vacances avec nous, tout le monde se porte bien, clients, équipages et leurs familles, moniteurs et guides.
Nous avons été très touché par vos centaines d’appels, SMS et email, nous vous remercions.
Soyez assurés de notre sollicitude.
L’Asie étant notre spécialité depuis des années, voici quelques informations pour les destinations que nous proposons et connaissons parfaitement.
L’archipel des Maldives à été «relativement épargné» le dernier Bilan fait état de plusieurs îles de pêcheurs plus ou moins durement touchées avec malheureusement des victimes parmi la population locale.
Hôtels: environ 15 hôtels ont été touchés, sur les 80 implantés et ceci dans des proportions variables.
Croisière: à notre connaissance aucun bateau n’a subi de dommage. J’étais moi-même aux Maldives au moment des événements, j’ai eu l’occasion avec des guides Abyss de me rendre à Malé 48 heures après les inondations, et tout fonctionnait normalement, nous n’avons remarqué aucun dégât dans les rues.
L’aéroport a repris tous ses vols réguliers après n’avoir été fermé que quelques heures, aucune infrastructure n’ayant été endommagée. Que ce soit à Malé ou à l’aéroport aucun dégât n’était apparent et il était impossible d’imaginer sans information précise qu’un événement de cette importance avait eu lieu. Sur le plan sanitaire, aucun problème n’est à signaler aux Maldives, il n’y a rien à craindre en ce qui concerne le ravitaillement tant en eau douce qu’en nourriture.
A quelques rares exceptions près, les sites de plongée n’ont pas souffert, la faune est toujours présente avec un comportement habituel et la visibilité excellente.
D’autre part, il n’y a aucun avis négatif de la part des autorités Fédérale Suisse ou du ministère des affaires étrangères Française. Enfin nos trois équipes de guides aux Maldives nous informent plusieurs fois par jour et complètent nos différentes sources d’informations.
Les conditions de sécurité n’étant pas remisent en cause et Abyss pouvant assumer les prestations exactement dans les mêmes conditions qu’avant le 26 décembre 2004, nous avons pris la décision de maintenir les croisières sur nos trois bateaux aux Maldives.
Nous pensons sincèrement que les Maldiviens ont besoin de vous, de nous, leur économie est essentiellement tournée vers le tourisme c’est donc leur principale source de revenu et moyen de subsistance. D’ailleurs, ceux-ci ne comprennent pas pourquoi les touristes sont moins nombreux étant donné la situation dans le pays qui parait «normale». Exemple concret: les rares marins de nos équipages ayant subit des dégâts dans leur maison, ont besoin de leur salaire, etc.
Abandonner cet archipel maintenant serait ce qui peut leur arriver de pire. Ethiquement pourquoi se détourner alors que depuis des années ce peuple nous accueille à bras ouvert.
Depuis 15 ans nous nous engageons complètement et assumons nous même des voyages de qualité sur des destinations parfois difficiles à proposer pour des questions «d’événement» et nous n’avons jamais pris la sécurité de nos clients ainsi que celle de nos équipes à la légère.
Il n’est pas dans notre intérêt de vous faire vivre une expérience désagréable et encore moins de vous faire courir des risques inutiles.
Aide directe aux Maldives: Nous avons versé des fonds à deux organisations internationales, nous allons directement aider les marins qui ont subit des dégâts dans leur maison et restons attentifs avec nos équipes aux Maldives pour une aide à long terme et dans la mesure de nos moyens. D’ici vendredi, vous trouverez des informations à ce sujet sur notre site Internet.
Situation aux Philippines:
Absolument rien à signaler pour cet archipel, les safaris se déroulent de façon normale.
Situation en Papua Barat:
Situation habituelle, rien à signaler.
Communication: Nous avons rencontré un problème majeur avec notre fournisseur d’accès à Internet qui nous a privé d’email et d’Internet depuis le jeudi 30 décembre 2004 ce qui nous a empêché de communiquer ou de répondre rapidement à vos questions et demandes et nous nous en excusons.
Malgré tous ces événements c’est très sincèrement que nous vous souhaitons une bonne année 2005.
Nous restons à votre entière disposition si vous avez des questions et vous adressons nos meilleures salutations.
Pour toutes les Equipes Abyss,
Christophe PAUL, Directeur
Abyss Scuba Divers S.A.
info@abyssworld.com
http://www.abyssworld.com
BALI, WAKATOBI
Jim Heggie and Nancy Chase of LiveWell Ventures Travel write:
Because of the vast expanse geographically, most of Indonesia is untouched, including the dive sites off Manado and Lembeh on Sulawesi, Wakatobi, Derawan / Sangalakki, Bali-Flores Island regions and the remote Raja Empat / Irian Jaya areas. We have some operators we have yet to confer with, however, regarding outlying Islands.
Diving & Travel in Southeast Asia
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