It is now over 48 hours after the tsunami struck. The clear up operation is well under way. The only signs on the kata beach hinting at the disaster are the lack of deckchairs. People are back on the sand lying on towels. A few of the beach side hotels and bars have opened again. The debris has been cleared from the main street and several buildings have been demolished. We have regular helicopter patrols overhead and the odd airplane. there are many water tankers passing through.
our hotel has remained completely unaffected throughout the entire disaster. the bars/restaurants/water supply/electricity have all remained on-line. well over 50% of the restaurants and bars are now open in kata beach. karen beach appears to have been more badly hit.
I must stress that the damage is not constant down the coastline. some places are much more badly effected than others.
i have been trying to contact my work as I have no idea whether they want me to return to sri lanka (where I currently live and work), remain here or return to the UK. I cannot contact Puket airport to find out if my flight back to Bangkok will go ahead tomorrow. The mobile number I have for the local tour guide just gives a deadtone when I ring it. If i can get no more information I guess i will just get a taxi to the airport and hope for the best.
Edit: Link to Part 1, Link to Part 2