FIELD REPORT TO NAI YANG BEACH, THALANG, Phuket
===============================================
22 january 2005
Survey carried out by paola dm, tsunami help volunteer
in Phuket
I carried out a survey of my local neighborhood this weekend.
Here the situation is much less dramatic than in other areas, I hear, like
India and Sri Lanka for example. Basic needs are met, and is just a question of getting people back to their lifes.
In Phanga Provence up north people are still living in tents and although massive relief operations are in place, there is little 'on the ground' information of who they are and what exactly they need, so that people can help them directly
I can try to go to Phanga over the next couple of weeks, but if some volunteers are already there please post the info and spare me the journey.
By providing some basic data I hope donors who are wondering 'how can I help'
can get involved directly, and to encourage more field reports from other areas to be posted.
Similar granular data of people in other countries may be useful
Some small shops have started trading, although there are very few shoppers around, some have plans to do so within a few months and some have the means to get back to work, in the hope that life may go back to normal.
A few others still live in tents here too, although the only way to find out is to survey the areas in person.
Any donors, persons or entities interested in helping out any of the families below, kindly post a comment to this notice, so that others may keep track of whos getting what and decide to allocate their help accordingly
Please note that residents and shop keepers beach side may be asked to move
at the end of the season due to govenrment plans to rationalise (and protect from exploiteation?) the area
thanks
SUMMARY
=========
Nai Yang beach lies a few kms south of Phuket airport
Only nine people died in this location, over a hundred injured, but many many missing.
It has been the home of many small businesses and a only a couple of larger hotels
beacause it is near a national park protected area
Currently there are plans to move the small businesses away from the beach, so many discussions are taking place between some stalls owners and the government
I started my survey of needs at the southmost tip of the beach, and walked my way north to check out the situation, as this is the best that I can do for my neighborhood
I asked the following questions to the residents who were there at the time of my visit name of business and type of activity damage suffered help received from government and other sources plans for the future resources needed to start again
Below is what I found out,
I HAVE NOT VERIFIED the information provided
Please direct your resources as you see fit
Also note that from interviews I understand that only business owners who
are originally from this district have received help from the government,
all other residents who are originally from other districts or provinces
are not receiving any help
ALL AMOUNTS IN THAI BAHT
BANKS RESTAURANT
==================
This is a small family restaurant, (I was a regular there)
Their entire house and business has been completely wiped out, together with ALL their
belongings.
The family of three however is resourceful and happy to be alive
They found sufficient resources withing family and friends, in five days they have rebuilt a small house
and are planning to set up a new kitchen and open their small restaurant again
They say they have received the following financial assistance so far
2000 thai baht for loss of employment
15.000 +20.000 compensation for damage to property
they received contributions in kind from friends and relatives
to build their home equal to 120.000
they plan to open again april or october
they need to build the kitchen and buy all restaurant equipement
estimated cost 150.000
and they need to repair their fishing boat and buy a fishing net
25.000
CONTACT MR WALLOP SAELAO
TEL 66 1 9785728
(thai and english)
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CHAO
===============
Bank's owner told me that mr CHAO is their next door neighbor (south side) who has lost his home and small restaurant
but the land may no longer be suitable because now there is a river on their land
He may have to find land elsewhere
contributions received so far: not known
estimated need 150.000
CONTACT MR WALLOP SAELAO/BANKS RESTAURANT
TEL 66 1 9785728
(thai and english)
=======================================================================
MR SOM CHAI TANOM KIT
used to live next door (norht side) to BANKS, he was a caretaker
to a house that has been partly destroyed (half of the walls are down)
he has no house and no job, and has not received any compensation by the govenrnment
probably because he is not originally a local resident
To help him
CONTACT MR WALLOP SAELAO/BANKS RESTAURANT
TEL 66 1 9785728
(thai and english)
========================================================================
SEASON RESTAURANT
Lost everything, received 2000 +20.000 (loss of job+compensation for damage to property)
needs approx 150.000 to start trading again
MRS AROM
66 76 260487
=======================================================================
THE TAILOR SHOP
The tailor is a senior man, his wife is dead, the building destroyed and all stock and belogings gone
He has received 2000+20.000,(loss of job+compensation for damage to property)
needs 150.000 to set up the shop again
contact MRS AROM if you wish to help the tailor
MRS AROM
66 76 260487
===================================================================
MR CLONG
used to have long chairs and umbrellas, and all his business is gone
he has also received 20,000 in contributions but needs 70.000 to start again
======================================================================
SUNSET BAR
It was a wooden bar built around a tree, used to serve alcohol
only the tree is left, the owner seems fit and resourceful
has received 12.000 compensation,
need over 100.000 to start again
mr yom theptons
66 6 9405239
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BEACH CLUB
they used to serve alcohol and play lound music
have received `15.000 in contributions, and see to have sufficient resources to
start their business again in October
mr KAEW
66 7 891 2384
====================================================================
OCTOPUS RESTAURANT
DOLPHIN TRAVEL AGENTS
Two brothers, Lost all building and equipment but they have managed to
re-open and now they are back in business with a few tables (not the travel agents
who are still closed)
received 7.000 need 150.000 they say
MR LEK 01 6763499
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HANA SEAFOOD SEEMS BACK IN BUSINESS
=================================================================
MR NIEW AND MR KAI told me they used to have a long tail boat
to take tourists around, and now have lost their business
they were sitting outside HANA SEAFOOD and told me they have only
received 2000 baht for loss of employment
they only speak thai phonr 66 9 9098575
====================================================================
SEA BEACH
this to me seemed perhaps the most urgent
the old lady Mama Ruai used to have this restaurant and also lived on the premises
the wave has wiped everything including all personal belongings, and they have lived
in a tent for the past three weeks
now they have built a small room with thin wooden walls around the ruins
and have no means to get back on their feet
also they did not keep money in the bank so all their savings are gong
they only have two tables and six chairs and a little handwritten sign
outside the wrecked premises says 'open for tea and coffee'
they dont have tables, tableware, cooker, fridge but also apparently no personal
things
her daughter used to have a small bar and gift shop next door, and everything is gone
the daughter has a child who attends the local school
Muang Thalang
Help received so far: 2000+15.00+2000+7.000
(loss of job+compensation for damage to property)
Need over 150.000 to purchase all restaurant equipment
They spoke little English but their sister can speak some
MRS SOMCHAI
66 1 0877977
============================================================================
an English couple Erik and Lili Walker have provided the tents for Mama Ruai and her
family
they are residents at the pearl village opposite and are willing to coordinate
any help around the beach until the beginning of april 2005
66 69 533 124
enwalker2003@yahoo.co.uk
======================================================================
THE MASSAGE LADIES
a very kind donor from switzerland, mrs Erika, has purchased large
umbrellas for the group of massage ladies on the beach
Erika is also trying to sponsor all the schooling needs for all the affected
children of Nai Yang, she should be back next month
=============================================================================
MRS TRI
A disabled lady who used to sell refreshments opposite the Sea Beach
has no hands due to some illness
she has received contributions around 40.000 but she may be moved
elsewhere, and may need help with her child and elderly mother
also the husband has lost boat, engine and fishing net
MRS TRI
66 4 1902676
==========================================================================
MRS NUWARAT
used to have a small restaurant and lost everything
she has not received any help from the government because she is from
another province
her papers show a loss of approx 143.0000
mrs Nuwarat
09 5869852
=============================================================================
MARIO TOURS
Mario (my travel agent btw) has managed to save his couple of cars and bikes
but has lost shop, his wife clothes next door and most of his trade
they have two children and live in rented accommodation in a village nearby
He is doing some taxi driving for the moment
may need to move his business elsewhere
contributions received 4000+9000
(loss of job+compensation for damage to property)
Estimated damage 150.000+
mario1bee@hotmail.com
66 1 2723549
=====================================================================
FARMA AND MALE
Two very poor ladies with lots of children who used to sell drinks
on the beach have lost their only asset: the drink cooler full of drinks
They are now struggling and living with an income of 20 bah per day
any help offered please contact MARIO above
======================================================================
KWANTA
Kwanta restaurant has been wiped with all its equipment
she told me she has received private donations sufficient to basic needs to start again,
she has also provided a list of telephone numbers of other
businesses near her who have been affected if you wish to help them
KWANTA 66 1 2722595
SUPANEE (help needed posted on this notice board ten days ago)
66 1 8949939
KOBI (KWANTA'S BROTHER bar next door) 01 8941913
ULA SHOP 66 7 2641536
POINPEN 66 1 8959489
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IF YOU ASSIST ANY OF THE PEOPLE ABOVE PLEASE POST A COMMENT HERE
SO THAT OTHERS MAY DIRECT THEIR EFFORTS ACCORDINGLY
FROM THE PEOPLE OF NAI YANG BEACH,
ESPECIALLY FROM THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN
MANY THANKS
PAOLA DM