Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005

Dear Friend,

Phuket has just suffered a grave human tragedy, but now its people are again threatened. This new threat comes from educated Europeans, Americans, Australians and others -- most of whom know better, but have to compete and sell. Sell news. Beat the competion.

This commercial approach to disaster news threatens unmeasurable harm to the very survivors of this tsunami tragedy who need help from the West, not increased hardship.

The news broadcast by global satellite TV and news organizations in the past week has given the world the impression that Phuket has been wiped out by the tsunami and now lies in ruins. Unbalanced, almost unethical reports have been seen on famed channels including BBC and CCN, reaching 100s of millions of viewers. I have seen discussion of the situation in Phuket voiced over horrific background images of complete devastation stretching to the horizon - taken in Sumatra.

Phuket's reality is very different. Though a few hundred people were tragically killed by the tsunami on the beaches here, little of the island has been harmed by the waves.

Almost none of Phuket's infrastructure has been closed down.

More than 80% of its hotel rooms remain open to business as usual.

Only a small percentage of the restaurants, shops, bars and attractions have been disrupted.

Few places suffered damage more than 100 metres from the beach.

There is no shortage of drinking water, food or serious threat of disease (nor lack of helpful, smiling people).

Life in Phuket is surprisingly normal - if saddened by the deaths.

Two places in Thailand were 'wiped out' -- Phi Phi Island, 48 kilometres southest of Phuket, and Khao Lak, 100 kilometres north in neighbouring Phang Nga province. They are our neighbours, and we feel for them.

Each time international news organizations and foreign newspapers talk of Phuket in the same apocalyptic terms as Sumatra, Sri Lanka or Khao Lak they are hurting the chances of the local Thais in Phuket picking up their lives again. Poor reporting and focus on the sensational chases away future tourist clients, ensuring these people's lives will be difficult for much longer.

Every day that such false impressions of Phuket continue means increased hardship for its people. Correcting this is where you can help.

To give precise information on the situation on Phuket we at Thai-based ARTASIA PRESS have put eye-witness accounts of the island, beach-by-beach onto our website (below). If you love or like Phuket, are interested in it, or otherwise want to help its people get through these difficult times, please look at the real situation.

And, please, forward this message of reality to as many friends as you possibly can.........

Sincerely,
John Everingham
Publisher,
ARTASIA PRESS
Bangkok, Phuket, Samui and Bali
Website with beach-by-beach accounts of Phuket: www.phuketmagazine.com