Still afraid to travel to LOS ?

[domifletch]

France revises travel advisory

PHUKET: The French Government has revised its travel warning on Thailand, pointing out that damage from the December 26 tsunami was localized and advising its citizens that travel to many places is safe.

The advisory reads (Gazette translation): “The tidal wave of December 26 caused considerable destruction along the southwestern coast of Thailand (the provinces of Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Trang, Satun and Ranong).

“However, the situation varies a great deal. The island of Phi Phi and the area of Khao Lak were ravaged but, in contrast, on the island of Phuket, damage was very localized and limited to certain beaches.

“Daily life continues in a normal manner across most of the island. Many hotels, restaurants, dive centers, etc are working as usual. The situation is the same in Krabi.

“There is no greater risk of infectious diseases than normal. Tr avel to the area is therefore perfectly possible.

“Access to those sites more badly affected (Phi Phi, Khao Lak) is not prohibited but, on the other hand, it is forbidden to go among the ruins.”

The French travel advisory may be seen here.

Brought to you by:
The Phuket Gazette
12:41 local time (GMT +7)

[tintin]

See thatthe french are not that bad as the American goverment made you think so!

And ... I am NOT French!

[gregor200]

Bizarre twists in UK travel advisory


PHUKET: In a bizarre twist possibly sparked more by politics than reality, Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) yesterday took Phuket off its list of places for British travelers to avoid, and then, within hours, put it back on.

On its website, the FCO had advised, since the tsunami struck, against “all but essential travel to affected resorts and towns along Thailand’s west coast, in particular Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak.”

The advisory continued, “Some coastal areas of Thailand were hit by a large tsunami on 26 December, resulting in widespread flooding and damage. Large numbers of casualties have been reported. The infrastructure and public services are severely disrupted.”

Intense lobbying by the British community in Phuket appeared to have had the desired effect yesterday afternoon when the advisory was changed, telling would-be travelers that although Khao Lak and Phi Phi should be avoided, Phuket was rebuilding and was, in essence, functioning normally.

The change was greeted with sighs of relief from those who had been grinding their teeth at the earlier assertions, knowing that travel and insurance companies base decisions on such advisories.

Later in the day, however, this more accurate version was taken off the website and the old one restored.

The first change came at almost the same time as the boss of the FCO, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, was giving a press conference in Phuket, at which he was asked when the dire warning in the travel advisory would be rescinded or altered to reflect reality.

Despite being in Phuket where he could, presumably, see for himself that infrastructure and public services were working normally, and were not “severely disrupted”, Mr Straw sidestepped the issue, saying only that he would first have to discuss the matter with colleagues in the British Cabinet.

Only hours after that statement, the advisory was changed back to the original wording.

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by gregor200

Bizarre twists in UK travel advisory


PHUKET: In a bizarre twist possibly sparked more by politics than reality, Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) yesterday took Phuket off its list of places for British travelers to avoid, and then, within hours, put it back on.

On its website, the FCO had advised, since the tsunami struck, against “all but essential travel to affected resorts and towns along Thailand’s west coast, in particular Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak.”

The advisory continued, “Some coastal areas of Thailand were hit by a large tsunami on 26 December, resulting in widespread flooding and damage. Large numbers of casualties have been reported. The infrastructure and public services are severely disrupted.”

Intense lobbying by the British community in Phuket appeared to have had the desired effect yesterday afternoon when the advisory was changed, telling would-be travelers that although Khao Lak and Phi Phi should be avoided, Phuket was rebuilding and was, in essence, functioning normally.

The change was greeted with sighs of relief from those who had been grinding their teeth at the earlier assertions, knowing that travel and insurance companies base decisions on such advisories.

Later in the day, however, this more accurate version was taken off the website and the old one restored.

The first change came at almost the same time as the boss of the FCO, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, was giving a press conference in Phuket, at which he was asked when the dire warning in the travel advisory would be rescinded or altered to reflect reality.

Despite being in Phuket where he could, presumably, see for himself that infrastructure and public services were working normally, and were not “severely disrupted”, Mr Straw sidestepped the issue, saying only that he would first have to discuss the matter with colleagues in the British Cabinet.

Only hours after that statement, the advisory was changed back to the original wording.

A typical British government stance.They still believe they know what is best for us,when in truth they are like the monarchy and have not the slightest idea of what the British public want.This government have never been so out of touch

[tomyam]

Originally Posted by dawsey

A typical British government stance.They still believe they know what is best for us,when in truth they are like the monarchy and have not the slightest idea of what the British public want.This government have never been so out of touch

don't make no difference 2 me , i'll still be going in two weeks time and again in March , April , July , Sept and November.
By the way Phuket Air are doing a good deal for £299 lgw to bkk direct , Tues only 25th Jan to 22nd march.

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by tomyam

don't make no difference 2 me , i'll still be going in two weeks time and again in March , April , July , Sept and November.
By the way Phuket Air are doing a good deal for £299 lgw to bkk direct , Tues only 25th Jan to 22nd march.

Bugger,I leave on the 23rd Mar
Hope to see you there sometime tomyam

[mlay]

Got e-mail from C&N today, they want to know if i'm still comming the 28 january

I stil don't know if i will go the 28 january in patong..
As some BM said , patong is pretty boring these days and i need sanook.

Will go to Pattaya this saturday then BKK and make a decision.

wait and see

[andy50]

Originally Posted by tomyam

don't make no difference 2 me , i'll still be going in two weeks time and again in March , April , July , Sept and November.
By the way Phuket Air are doing a good deal for £299 lgw to bkk direct , Tues only 25th Jan to 22nd march.

thats a relly good price tomyan,im tempted to return to phuket at that price!

[bonnetti]

Originally Posted by dawsey

A typical British government stance.They still believe they know what is best for us,when in truth they are like the monarchy and have not the slightest idea of what the British public want.This government have never been so out of touch

Totally agree,mate........I can't take anything Tony Blair says seriously, ,he looks more like a spitting image puppet every day
As for people considering whether to travel to Phuket or not,I can't comment on the sanuk to be had now,having just got back to the UK.I'm sure there is still fun to be had,although understandably the atmosphere will be muted,but IMHO now more than ever is the time to go and spend your hard-earned $/€/£ to help the local economy recover from the shattering blow of December 26th!
Cheers,
Bonnetti

[geespot]

At last a country talking sense a giving accurate advice

G