Thai Gov withholding donated money ??

[LivinLOS]

I have no way of knowing if this is true or not but I just read this disturbing thread on Thaivisa (http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=31148 ) and its very applicable to this area..

Hi All,

I have just received an email from a freind who is travelling and has just arrived in Phi Phi

Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw when we arrived on Koh Phi Phi, the island really is in ruins and only 100 out of the 1500 locals are left on the island, the other survivors are housed in camps on the mainland because there is no housing left for them here. We have volunteered and are working with an organisation called Hi Phi Phi who are helping to clear and start to rebuild the island. Roger has been demolishing a condemned building and I have been shovelling dirt to lay the foundations for a guest house. Despite the fact that charities raised more than enough money for the tsunami appeal this island has received nothing. This is because the government are controlling the money given to Thailand as a whole and have not allocated any to Phi Phi because they wish to buy it back from the private landowners to build 5 star resorts which would be a tragedy for the locals aswell as the island. The landowners are refusing to sell (they've been offered 38 million US dollars!) but are really struggling to start over again. I am writing because there is now a website that allows you to donate money directly to specific projects and people in Phi Phi. These people really, really need help and we were hoping that you might spare a little time to look at the website and possibly donate a little bit of money. The things that we are seeing are heart breaking yet despite their horrendous ordeal the Thai people show such resiliance and remain so positive, it's amazing and extremely admirable.

The website address is:

www.hiphiphi.com

has anyone direct been there and seen that the rebuilding effort is being hampered by the government withholding funds so they can make self gain ...

[Schmeen]

Word is the same is happening in Khao Lak.

Insurance companies are holding out on paying what things qualify to force people into desparation so that they sell quicker and cheaper.

Be honest though, did you ever think the symapthy of the rich in Thailand would outlast the making making opportunities?