Posted on 12/31/2004 11:22:32 AM PST by M 91 u2 K
PHUKET, Thailand - While volunteers struggled to collect bodies washing up on the once-pristine beaches of this upscale resort isle, ghoulish tourists rolled out their towels yesterday, doffed their bikini tops and vacationed like nothing had happened.
On Patong Beach and Kata Beach - where hundreds died or disappeared four days ago - the smell of suntan lotion wafted from the shore as a new influx of tourists determinedly ignored the carnage around them, frolicking in the surf or reading under umbrellas.
An indignant Russian who arrived at the Novotel Phuket Resort on the day after the tsunami loudly complained that there was no champagne reception.
Other guests have pestered the hotel's grieving staff with complaints that their rooms lack good views.
Belgian tourist Desmet Romain, 42, questioned whether he should have stayed on despite all the death and misery.
But the prospect of missing the New Year's beach holiday he had been looking forward to all year was too much to bear.
"I didn't want to go back to Belgium where it is so cold," Romain said. "And in this hotel, it's like everything is totally normal."
Some Thais are amazed that the foreigners can be so insensitive to be sipping cocktails poolside while surrounded by death and grief.
"I think the people are good, but I don't know why they stay here now when we are so sad," a waiter at the Novotel said, asking that his name not be reported out of fear of losing his job.
The beaches of Patong and Kata were filling up with tourists and Thais when the tsunami hit Sunday. Nearly 300 are confirmed dead, including more than 100 tourists.
Another 1,600 people are still missing from Phuket beaches, and there is an army of grieving family members searching for them.
As bodies continue to wash up on Phuket's shores and are stacked in makeshift morgues, the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket is erecting big tents, installing cotton candy machines and bringing in caged animals in preparation for the gala New Year's Eve circus party it promised.
"We do want to keep it a happy theme," Sheraton marketing communications manager Zahid Ali said. "Our guests came here during the holidays and they do want to enjoy it."
But in a nod to the tragedy surrounding them, the Sheraton canceled its $2,500 fireworks display and will observe a moment of silence, Ali said.
The hotel is also donating all the proceeds from its circus party to the disaster relief fund it set up for staff members who lost family and homes to the tidal wave.
The Thai survivors on Phuket are preparing to mark the new year in a much more somber manner.
"I will go to the temple to make merit for all the dead people," said Supone Sengsahus, 43, who drives a converted pickup truck as a taxi.
His friend, Moone Penmit, 35, who owns a restaurant, also was not in the mood for a party after a friend of his was killed in the disaster.
"Many people are not enjoying New Year's this time," he said.
If there any after shocks and another tsunami hits I would not be surprised if all these tourists go towards the beach in curiousity when the water recedes.
BTTT
Most Americans think too much of life to act like the Russians and Europeans, imo. It's impossible to imagine people acting like this when surrounded by so much death and destruction. The hotel staff must have the patience of Job.
And they call Americans...Nazis?
On the other hand, the more insensitive tourists, the more money to help rebuild the economy. Having the waiters busy will hopefull help take their minds off the horror of their loss. I hope the tourists are extra generous with their tips.
The class-act thing to do would be to blow off the 'fun vacation' plans and pitch in with the relief and rescue efforts.
I'm not sure what you point was.
I could not be civil to vacationing guests complaining because they didn't have good beach views when surrounded by so much death and destruction.
No, they just need their Jobs.
Certainly sir, if you could just wait a few minutes, I'm sure I could arrainge another 9.0 earthquake and 30 foot Tsunami, both of which would move the entire island another 100 feet to the Soutwest. Would that be acceptable?
I don't believe the author of this story....it's probably embellished to make for a different angle and the Russians are everyone's favorite target.
I personally wouldn't want to be there in any other capacity than relief worker... but if there are people willing to pay money for food, hotels and plane tickets in that environment, I have to see it as a net plus for the region.
If the Thais really didn't want tourism right now they could close their hotels and just say no.
Nor could I. I wouldn't blame any local folks who went off on the tourists. Either leave, or put down the gin & tonic and the suntan oil, walk into the debris field, get the vomiting over with, roll up your sleeves and help out.
While I might question staying in a disaster zone with a small child...I hail her vailiant efforts and trying to do something no matter how small the effort.
She had also mentioned, in a tone of (disgust and) disbelief, that there were many foreign tourists still flooding the beach as if nothing happened, just as the article described, while massive recovery and clean up efforts where still happening.
Only a couple of days ago, she did a clip illustrating the death (and aftermath of the bodies) that occurred on those beaches. It was hard to watch.
They'd tell the bell boy to move it. It was spoiling their view.
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