Phuket

DREW · #1 21-08-2005, 11:32

Not sure how many of you were there when it hit. I know Nicke was and a few others.

I just got back from a recent trip (via Manila- but that was work) and things seem to be recovering but the numbers are down and people are really missing the money.

I have a few friends out there and they are struggling to make ends meet. One friend and her husband invited me to her wedding last time I was there which was very kind.

Her husband lost his job so they bought an icecream maker and he now sells it round the island from a cool box on his motorbike.

I have a few more friends who are also struggling, so I made them a deal. I would help them to find a source of revenue and they would pay me back, once they got on their feet.

I spent £1,000 on Tsunami Relief rubber braclets over the internet. The deal being I bought them for 60baht each and 10 friends now sell them for 120 baht.

They will make £2,000 and then pay me back the original money in December (they will not accept charity as they are very proud people), they'll then use the profit to buy more braclets.

Its not much but the 10 friends will probably support 5 family members each, so I reckon 50 people will benefit.

Drew

tintin · #2 21-08-2005, 13:04

Great Drew as money go directly to the people! Most of the people want to do good, but the money often come into the wrong hands!

It was difficult to book a trip for my family for this x-mas season, so I hope things will go back to normal slowly. Don't forget it is "low season" now and that there are more destinations to choose from to spend your holliday, in summer!

When I was in Phuket in March, there was more people in Kata then in november before the tsunami! Patong was a little bit slower, less frantic. I am very confident, that things will go back to normal, just give it a bit of time.

Phuket has one big advantage over other destination. It is the kind of place, ones it stole your heart, uou want to get back to!

gregor200 · #3 21-08-2005, 14:23

Think they sold the tsunami rubber bands in Bangkok near Asia Airport hotel for 20 Baht each, when I stayed there in July