FORTUNE TELLERS' predictions of a second tsunami have led the Governor of Phuket to take the unusual step of reassuring visitors by issuing a media release in English.
Governor Tri Augkaradacha says in the letter that all efforts are being made to ensure the safety of tourists. He writes: ''Based on the most advanced technology, it is absolutely impossible to predict when and where a tsunami would strike.
''However our National Disaster Warning Centre has been working around the clock to closely monitor any geological movement that will result in a tsunami and will give us early warning if there is a sign of such a disaster.
''The early warning would be communicated to the public via all branches of mass media, including TV, radio or SMS.''
After detailing cooperation processes with international agencies and the information expected from tsunami warning buoys off the coast, Governor Tri goes on to say:
''For our tourists, all hotels in the high risk areas have been instructed to distribute the documents on safety instructions for the tsunami evacuation process to their guests in order to ensure that every tourist is well aware and can appropriately respond to the warnings at any time.''
He adds: ''You are assured that our safeguard measures would keep you safe from a tsunami.''
For the first time in the six years since the tsunami, which claimed 5400 lives in Thailand, practice drills are being undertaken in the high season for tourism.
The predictions by fortune tellers of a second tsunami are reported to have led some tourists from Asian countries and within Thailand to cancel visits to Phuket and the Andaman coast.
However, the mostly non-superstitious Australians and Europeans are unlikely to have been influenced by crystal ball gazers.
European travellers are less evident on Phuket this high season because of the strong baht. This event was not predicted early enough for resort managements to seek other markets.
Governor Tri is scheduled to be at Saphan Hin public park in Phuket City on Friday for a tsunami drill. The sixth anniversary of the tsunami comes two days later, on December 26.
Memorial commemorations are scheduled for Patong, Kamala and Mai Khao.
Phuketwan was told earlier this year that authorities in Phang Nga, where the greatest number of victims died in the tsunami, were planning to only mark the tsunami anniversary officially every five years from now on.
If no formal events have been planned in the meantime, we suspect the relatives and friends of the dead will be grieving in their own way, as they always will, every year.
Governor Tri Augkaradacha says in the letter that all efforts are being made to ensure the safety of tourists. He writes: ''Based on the most advanced technology, it is absolutely impossible to predict when and where a tsunami would strike.
''However our National Disaster Warning Centre has been working around the clock to closely monitor any geological movement that will result in a tsunami and will give us early warning if there is a sign of such a disaster.
''The early warning would be communicated to the public via all branches of mass media, including TV, radio or SMS.''
After detailing cooperation processes with international agencies and the information expected from tsunami warning buoys off the coast, Governor Tri goes on to say:
''For our tourists, all hotels in the high risk areas have been instructed to distribute the documents on safety instructions for the tsunami evacuation process to their guests in order to ensure that every tourist is well aware and can appropriately respond to the warnings at any time.''
He adds: ''You are assured that our safeguard measures would keep you safe from a tsunami.''
For the first time in the six years since the tsunami, which claimed 5400 lives in Thailand, practice drills are being undertaken in the high season for tourism.
The predictions by fortune tellers of a second tsunami are reported to have led some tourists from Asian countries and within Thailand to cancel visits to Phuket and the Andaman coast.
However, the mostly non-superstitious Australians and Europeans are unlikely to have been influenced by crystal ball gazers.
European travellers are less evident on Phuket this high season because of the strong baht. This event was not predicted early enough for resort managements to seek other markets.
Governor Tri is scheduled to be at Saphan Hin public park in Phuket City on Friday for a tsunami drill. The sixth anniversary of the tsunami comes two days later, on December 26.
Memorial commemorations are scheduled for Patong, Kamala and Mai Khao.
Phuketwan was told earlier this year that authorities in Phang Nga, where the greatest number of victims died in the tsunami, were planning to only mark the tsunami anniversary officially every five years from now on.
If no formal events have been planned in the meantime, we suspect the relatives and friends of the dead will be grieving in their own way, as they always will, every year.
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I doubt if any native English speakers need reassuring about this nonsense. However, if your Thai partner does believe it, don't even think about trying to sway their mind - just not worth it. Believe me!
Posted by Mike Boyd on December 23, 2010 21:10
Editor Comment:
You are stereotyping, Mike. Not all Thai ''partners'' are like yours. It's not an assumption you should make. As a non-superstitious native English speaker, I would still like to know what system is in place to awaken guests in resorts along the coast between 1am and 6am, when tv, radio and even mobile phones/sms are switched off, and the staff at reception are sometimes also asleep.