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 Media Centre
Media Monitoring
Sources: Bangkok Post, and ThaiNews 08 November 2005:
Special: Pearl of the Andaman shines againPhuket and Krabi, two of the provinces hardest hit by last December's tsunami, are fully restored to "Pearl of the Andaman" status and hotel bookings are up to 80 per cent of capacity until the end of February, according to the Phuket and Krabi tourist business associations. But, restoration work continues on hotels at Khao Lak in Phang Nga. It has only 1,000 hotel rooms ready for this high season, compared to 5,000 before the disaster and full recovery there is expected to take longer. 11 November 2005:
Austrian flights boost PhuketAustrian Airlines has begun a twice-weekly direct flight from Europe to Phuket, in the hope of helping the tourist industry in the "Pearl of the Andaman" recover. The flights are said to be booked to greater than 90-per-cent capacity to February 11 November 2005:
Only 400 accept govt invitations Around 400 people who suffered injuries or lost close relatives in the Dec 26 tsunami have accepted the government's invitation to attend the disaster's first remembrance ceremony in Phang Nga via the three-page website application form, a senior foreign ministry official said. Some European governments, such as Sweden and Norway, have already sponsored trips for their citizens to tsunami-hit provinces. Other countries, including Finland and Japan, had offered to contact tsunami victims' relatives after Thailand supplied them with lists. 12 November 2005:
Logo chosen for big wave event stresses passing nature of the tragedy An independent graphic designer won first prize for a tsunami logo contest with a simple yet meaningful work. 12 November 2005:
Foreign tourists are flocking back, but Phi Phi island remains in shambles Krabi's Phi Phi island remains a picture of devastation more than 11 months after the tsunami struck, but even so, foreign tourists are returning for the high season. The source said local investors who own hotels and resorts on Phi Phi had been hamstrung, unable to rebuild because they were waiting for a new city plan to be finalised by the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA). Krabi Governor said the government had approved a budget to build electrical infrastructure worth Bt623 mn and had granted another Bt166 mn for water supply, but the provincial government couldn't spend the money now, because it had to wait for the new city plan. The provincial government also intended to set up two early-warning system buildings on Phi Phi island before the end of the month. 12 November 2005:
Suwat expects 7,000 at tsunami memorial servicesAbout 7,000 people are expected to turn out for memorial services for the tsunami anniversary next month, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said. The government is paying to fly in relatives of people who died in the disaster as well as the injured, Suwat said. Though an earlier estimate expected 7,500 Thais and 6,500 foreigners would be attending, the latest head count showed fewer people were coming, he said. 14 November 2005:
Parley for top psychologists Over 400 leading psychologists from around the world will meet in Bangkok today to discuss steps aimed at coping with a rise in psychological problems in Asia and to share their experiences in treating traumatised tsunami survivors. The three-day Asian Applied Psychology International-Regional Conference has been jointly organised by Thammasat University's Psychology Department and the Thai Psychological Association. |
© 2005 United Nations Thailand
