Phuket

kazngaz · #1 27-12-2004, 17:52

We are due to arrive at Karon/Kata on the 7th Jan - does anybody there know if these areas are OK or is it the complete devastation that it looks on T:V.

Our hearts go out to the people who have lost family, friends and their livelihoods.

marc26 · #2 27-12-2004, 18:09

my room is in karon and i went back today and it is fine. i didnt see kata, but karon only has minimal damage.

gregor200 · #3 27-12-2004, 18:17

Called KataThani (Bangkok) in the morning, hotel is fully staffed, phone and IT is out of order, think wave has spilled whole reception area out to the street, windows in ground area are broken

gregor200 · #4 27-12-2004, 19:26

called just my friend. He stays now near airport. was driving to KataNoi just now. The presidential suite was coming today to Patong, about ten big mercedes, they closed the road from airport to Patong for half an hour. Road from Patong to KataNoi is driveable, sometimes a lot of sand on the road, the little restaurants in Karon near the police station, before the stadium, are gone, hotels near dino park are ok. KataThani Bhuri is ok, swimming pool is open, there was only little water coming into.
KataThani Seaside is in repair, spare parts for telephone central are coming tomorrow, poolside will be clean within next two days. Windows are still ok, door got little bruises from water going through lower level, they check now static of hotel, many guests moved out, waiters went to their families in the back, think they come back tomorrow for work.
My friend will move tomorrow to KataThani with his family, checked room already.

kazngaz · #5 27-12-2004, 19:39

Tks. for the info. We are staying at the top of Taina Road at the Little Mermaid Guesthouse, so we didnt think it would have got that far, but the pictures from TV are absolutely devastating. Would you recommend that we still take our trip - we really do not want to cancel as we are coming over for five weeks. What state is the beach in (if it is still there) ?? So very sad though for people who have lost their family and friends. We love going down to the little fish restaurants on the front and you now say they are gone, it is quite unbelievable ! !

kazngaz · #6 27-12-2004, 19:47

Tks. for the info. We are staying at the top of Taina Road at the Little Mermaid Guesthouse, so we didnt think it would have got that far, but the pictures from TV are absolutely devastating. Would you recommend that we still take our trip - we really do not want to cancel as we are coming over for five weeks. What state is the beach in (if it is still there) ?? So very sad though for people who have lost their family and friends. We love going down to the little fish restaurants on the front and you now say they are gone, it is quite unbelievable ! !

LivinLOS · #7 27-12-2004, 20:33

I would dsay that by the 7th things will be operational but a long way from normal..

You could still come but of course be tolerant if things are not at thier usual level of service..

marc26 · #8 27-12-2004, 20:37

little mermaid is fine. i was just at new freinds bar next door at 430pm. totally fine

cddave · #9 27-12-2004, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazngaz

We are due to arrive at Karon/Kata on the 7th Jan - does anybody there know if these areas are OK or is it the complete devastation that it looks on T:V.

Our hearts go out to the people who have lost family, friends and their livelihoods.

i have a few friends in karon when it happened. seems things are ok but the water went as far as the front hotels in karon, the south sea resort was quite badly hit but the water did not get as far as the old phucket hotel.
i guess the ladyboys will have to find some where else to operate for a while!!!!! most of the beach beds are now rafts!!
kata was worse hit. my friend lost his scooter. wonder how the insurance will work with that one???

concept_guy · #10 29-12-2004, 14:07

My girlfriend & I have been worrying about the very nice thai man we called "Mr. Happy" who owned the grocery & gift store in the BASEMENT

of one of the buildings near the traffic circle in Karon. The shop is on the south side of Patak (East I think) & was always cluttered full with items off all kinds.

We stayed at the seabreeze & would pop into the store every day on the way to the beach to buy bottled water, and in the evening on the way back to the hotel to get a snack. He was always in there with music blaring - singing away to either elvis music or country songs. I think he also operated a airport shuttle & was a post office too. He was always happy.

I would like to know if he is ok. He is in our thoughts. Could someone please post a reply? If someone does see him & he's OK, please let him know that some Canadians are thinking of him. If however he did not make it then we can pray for him. Thanks.

Jesse · #11 29-12-2004, 14:27

Does anyone know for sure what happened to the hotel and staff of the Ruam Thep Inn, located at the south end of Karon ? I've stayed there and become friends with the family that owns it for the last 10 years, just returned from a month long vacation on December 2nd and I'm really worried about them. I've called but the phone just rings and rings, very unusual.... I emailed Marina Cottage (just up the hill from Ruam Thep Inn) and they replied back that Ruam Thep Inn and Karon Beach Resort were "damaged" by the waves. I fear they were destroyed and I'd pay good money to get current news and pictures of Ruam Thep Inn....... My heart goes out to everyone effected by this disaster....... Jesse in Valdez, Alaska

cddave · #12 29-12-2004, 23:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by concept_guy

My girlfriend & I have been worrying about the very nice thai man we called "Mr. Happy" who owned the grocery & gift store in the BASEMENT

of one of the buildings near the traffic circle in Karon. The shop is on the south side of Patak (East I think) & was always cluttered full with items off all kinds.

We stayed at the seabreeze & would pop into the store every day on the way to the beach to buy bottled water, and in the evening on the way back to the hotel to get a snack. He was always in there with music blaring - singing away to either elvis music or country songs. I think he also operated a airport shuttle & was a post office too. He was always happy.

I would like to know if he is ok. He is in our thoughts. Could someone please post a reply? If someone does see him & he's OK, please let him know that some Canadians are thinking of him. If however he did not make it then we can pray for him. Thanks.

hey we called him "cheecky charlie". his shop was somewhat water logged but he was ok. last seen bailing out the water, big smile on his face. how do these guys stay so happy??
the water reached about another 40 feet up that road just past the siam bank.

concept_guy · #13 30-12-2004, 04:20

So his name is actually Charlie? That would be nice to know. Neither of us can actually remember his real name despite seeing him daily for almost a month! Just the name we gave him. It would be nice to know his full name.

Did you have a chance to pass on our message? I certainly do appreciate your letting us know! Its a relief to know, although that seems somewhat selfish compared to the millions who have had thier lives affected, and the almost hundred thousand who have died.

Well I hope he is soon singing along badly to his favorite country songs! Maybe we will have a chance to see him again one day.

Whazzzup · #14 01-01-2005, 08:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse

Does anyone know for sure what happened to the hotel and staff of the Ruam Thep Inn, located at the south end of Karon ?

Hi Jesse,

Found some pictures of Kata Beach and the Ruam Thep Inn during the waves and after the waves hit...... click this link:

kerrys-tsunami-photos.blogspot.com

I hope for you, you've heard something more concerning the staff, cause the restaurant is badly damaged.
Regards.

dawsey · #15 01-01-2005, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazngaz

Tks. for the info. We are staying at the top of Taina Road at the Little Mermaid Guesthouse, so we didnt think it would have got that far, but the pictures from TV are absolutely devastating. Would you recommend that we still take our trip - we really do not want to cancel as we are coming over for five weeks. What state is the beach in (if it is still there) ?? So very sad though for people who have lost their family and friends. We love going down to the little fish restaurants on the front and you now say they are gone, it is quite unbelievable ! !

Some more info on Kata and Karon for you
http://asiaweb-direct.com/forums/sho...b=5&o=&fpart=1
pics also of the area.It looks OK.