Phuket Recovers from TV Tsunami by John Borthwick

Phuket is Phuket. It is neither Khao Lak nor Phi Phi. The distinction is important because Khao Lak (80 km north on the Thai mainland) and Phi Phi Island (40 km east in Phang Nga Bay) were extensively damaged during the tsunami of 26 December 2004, while Phuket was far less affected. That distinction was often ignored by international television networks who conflated the three areas into one easily recognisable name, Phuket, then declared that the huge island (the size of Singapore) was "wiped out." The local and expat community in Phuket regard the subsequent economic damage from this mis-information as "the second tsunami."

It is safe to go back in the water - and indeed always was. The tsunami directly affected less than ten percent of the island. Some 250 people died; however, at any point 150 metres inland from the shore there is hardly even water damage. Right across Phuket fewer than a dozen hotels closed, with most others receiving no damage at all.

The island's famous beaches are probably cleaner than they've been in years and remain home to some of the best resorts in the world. Brands here include Banyan Tree, Chedi and Dusit - whose properties were minimally affected - as well as Aman, Rydges and Le Meridien resorts, the lower-lying sections of which were damaged and have undergone repair. The ocean-front JW Marriott Resort & Spa sustained minor damage to some facilities but within days was operating as normal. Bangtao Beach is famous for its sprawling Laguna Phuket complex with five international resorts arrayed around the namesake lagoon. Despite network "news" that it was destroyed, the Laguna complex reported just fifty of its 1100 rooms damaged and only one guest fatality.

"Business as usual" is evident right across the island - except for the dramatic downturn in visitor numbers. Alasdair Junor, manager of the Evason Phuket Resort puts it plainly, "Don't bother donating money. Come to Thailand and spend it." Golf, diving, sea-kayaking, island getaways and more are what visitors to Phuket thrive on and, vitally, what its economy and people survive on. According the Thais, our post-tsunami "respect" for them is not expressed best by staying away but by returning - soon - to Phuket and its pleasures.