Phuket Tourism: Thailand

PHUKET – CLOSED OR OPEN FOR BUSINESS?

Recently there has been an overwhelming amount of reporting in the international press concerning the recent Earthquake and Tsunami in Asia. The death toll now stands at nearly 150,000 killed. Children have borne the major brunt of the disaster with over 1.5 million killed, injured or orphaned according to recent reports. The major networks have all carried nightly reports and Dan Rather of CBS and Dianne Sawyer of ABC both spent several days reporting from Thailand before moving on to Sumatra. All of this reporting has been helpful in increasing knowledge about the extent of the disaster and has helped to prod Western donors into an unprecedented burst of philanthropy which ultimately should help many. As of January 6, donations exceeded $4 billion which is a major accomplishment.

The problem, however, is that in a well meant attempt by some journalists to promote the news, false impressions have been created, especially in the case of Thailand. Below is an open e-mail letter that Mr. John Everingham, a publisher in Thailand sent to many contacts. We believe this message makes eminent sense and deserves wider circulation and consequently are publishing it below:

Here is the e-mail:

Subject: Phuket is still hurting

Dear Friend,

Phuket has just suffered a human grave tragedy, but now its people are again threatened. This new threat comes from educated Europeans, Americans, Australians and others -- most of whom know better, but have to compete and sell. Sell news. Beat the competion.

This commercial approach to disaster news threatens immeasurable harm to the very survivors of this tsunami tragedy who need help from the West, not increased hardship.

The news broadcast by global satellite TV and news organizations in the past week has given the world the impression that Phuket has been wiped out by the tsunami and now lies in ruins. Unbalanced, almost unethical reports have been seen on famed channels including BBC and CCN, reaching 100s of millions of viewers. I have seen discussion of the situation in Phuket voiced over horrific background images of complete devastation stretching to the horizon - taken in Sumatra.

Phuket's truth is very different. Though a few hundred people were tragically killed by the tsunami on the beaches here, little of the island has been harmed by the waves.

Almost none of Phuket's infrastructure has been closed down.

More than 80% of its hotel rooms remain open to business as usual.

Only a small percentage of the restaurants, shops, bars and attractions have been disrupted.

Few places suffered damage more than 100 metres from the beach.

There is no shortage of drinking water, food or serious threat of disease (nor lack of helpful, smiling people).

Life in Phuket is surprisingly normal - if saddened by the deaths.

Two places in Thailand were 'wiped out' -- Phi Phi Island, 48 kilometers southeast of Phuket, and Khao Lak, 100 kilometres north in neighboring Phang Nga province. They are our neighbors, and we feel for them.

Each time international news organizations and foreign newspapers talk of Phuket in the same apocalyptic terms as Sumatra, Sri Lanka or Khao Lak they are hurting the chances of the local Thais in Phuket picking up their lives again. Poor quality reporting and focus on the sensational chases away future tourist clients, ensuring these people's lives will be difficult for much longer.

Every day that such false impressions of Phuket continue means increased hardship for its people. Correcting this is where you can help.

To give precise information on the situation on Phuket we at Thai-based ARTASIA PRESS have put eye-witness accounts of the island, beach-by-beach onto our website (below). If you love or like Phuket, are interested in it, or otherwise want to help its people get through these difficult times, please look at the real situation.

And, please, forward this message of reality to as many friends as you possibly can.........

Sincerely,

John Everingham
Publisher,
ARTASIA PRESS
Bangkok, Phuket, Samui and Bali
Website with beach-by-beach accounts of Phuket: see www.phuketmagazine.com

I would emphasize that the above plea is not only confined to the writer above. Recently a friend of mine who is a Senior Regional Manager for a

U.S.

multi-national visited Phuket shortly following the Tsunami. His report was that five days following the events, the damage was already cleared in most areas. Debris was already being collected. Beaches were teaming with Western tourists and that the damage although extensive was much more localized than portrayed in the international press. Another western friend who also knows Phuket well agreed. He said there definitely was damage but the news reports have overblown the situation.

This misinformation is being grasped by others in the region to try to try to confuse travelers that Phuket is not the place they should be considering for a visit or for investment. This view is simply misguided. The strong infrastructure, good medical care, positive Thai attitude, joy of life and the willingness as noted by survivors of Thai people in all walks of life to look out for their foreign guests remains unchanged. Phuket remains very much open for business and remains a warm attractive location for those trying to avoid winter temperatures that currently are turning the

U.S.

and Europe into cold and windy areas that many are dreaming of exiting, if only for a warm week or two, the artic blast for a short break in the tropics

About the Author: Christopher W. Runckel, a former senior US diplomat who served in many counties in Asia, is a graduate of the University of Oregon and Lewis and Clark Law School. He served as Deputy General Counsel of President Gerald Ford’s Presidential Clemency Board. Mr. Runckel is the principal and founder of Runckel & Associates, a Portland, Oregon based consulting company that assists businesses expand business opportunities in Asia.

Until April of 1999, Mr. Runckel was Minister-Counselor of the US Embassy in Beijing, China. Mr. Runckel lived and worked in Thailand for over six years. He was the first permanently assigned U.S. diplomat to return to Vietnam after the Vietnam War. In 1997, he was awarded the U.S. Department of States highest award for service, the Distinguished Honor Award, for his contribution to improving U.S.-Vietnam relations. Mr. Runckel is one of only two non-Ambassadors to receive this award in the 200-year history of the U.S. diplomatic service.