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Re: uh.. now what?
Mon, December 27, 2004 - 10:26 AMMy understanding is that Koh Phangan wasn't hit and should still be ok. I haven't been able to find any specific info to confirm this but most damage was concentrated on the West Coast (a shame because Krabi is one of my favorite areas to frequent).
My main concerns are disease and over crowding. There is supposedly a shortage of good water and water bourne diseases are spreading rapidly. If people still decide to vacation in Thailand in January.. most of the people who were planning on going to the West coast will probably end up on the East coast.. which could mean tourist madness - especially in the islands.
I have a number of friends over there right now and will report back when I get some first hand accounts. -
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Re: uh.. now what?
Mon, December 27, 2004 - 11:15 AMmight this mean it will be harder to get a place to stay in Koh phangan?
I havnt figured out how to researve a place ot stay yet so I was going to be relyign on finding one when im there...
hmmm..
I also wont be getting there untill the 11th or 12th...
*my heart goes out to all thoes in need over there right now*
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Re: uh.. now what?
Mon, December 27, 2004 - 6:58 PMI'm in Bangkok right now and will be headed south in a few days. Ko Pha Ngan was unaffected by the tsunami, which only thrashed islands and beaches off the West Coast. But the concern of overcrowding sounds legitimate. Travelers here in the backpacker ghetto are rearranging their plans since a pilgrimage to Ko Phi Phi is now out of the question. It's hard to tell how this may shake out, since many travelers with flexibility may just head in an entirely different direction.
I should be on Ko Pha Ngan by the 4th and may be able to report back before then.
Matt -
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Re: uh.. now what?
Wed, December 29, 2004 - 9:35 PMthanx for the info, matthew!
i arrive in bangkok on the 8th and am planing on hanging there for a few days. any tips? good place to stay?
thanx!
~amber -
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Re: uh.. now what?
Thu, December 30, 2004 - 4:31 AMI stayed in the ghetto near Kao San Road. My hotel was the New Siam I, which is a fine place, but is no different than any of the thousands of similarly inexpensive hotels in that area. Rooms in these places run between 200 and 500 baht ($5-14) per night. One word of warning about the New Siam -- they are doing construction next door during the daytime (9am to 6pm) and it's really noisy. If you get up relatively early and spend your days exploring Bangkok (meaning OUTSIDE the ghetto), then it doesn't really matter. In any case, my primary recommendation is to stay near Thanon Pra Athit, close to the river and to the West of Kao San Road.
The Thai poi spinners gather near the Phra Sumen Fort off Pra Athit every day between 5 and 8pm. It's a small group, and they aren't allowed to do fire at the fort, but a few of them have some nice moves and it's cool to see this art form crossing cultures. Poi are for sale on Kao San Road, but the quality of the rigs is poor and the fire wicks are made of some non-Kevlar material (perhaps cotton).
Hope that helps. I'll post to this board once information about the scene on Ko Pha Ngan becomes available to me.
Matt
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Re: uh.. now what?
Thu, December 30, 2004 - 4:33 AMOh, one more recommendation. Get as many massages as possible. In particular, I recommend the Wat Pho massage school for traditional Thai massage. Get the one hour massage (or even 1.5 hours) with the hot herbs. It kicked ass.
Matt -
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Re: uh.. now what?
Sat, January 1, 2005 - 4:19 PMHi Friends, I have not had axcess to internet for the last 5 days. Leave on January 5th from LA. It would seem like overcrowding on hat yuan and hat yin could be an isue, I look forward to hearing more from our saviour, Matthew whom I am very greatful to for his active role in gathering and sharing knowledge. I am going to bring a tent and bedding(a large sarong or sheet and a thermarest, blankets not needed for it is very warm) I think that if all the bungalows are rented one can easily kick down some money for a spot for a tent. I am incouraged to hear how dedicated you all are to going. If someone is there who thinks we should not come, please let us know. I feel strongly that we all have some special purpose in going, perhaps it is to remind ourselves and those whom have been effected by this tragidy, that we are a world tribe. Through our collective consciousness we will not only survive but continue to make our time allive one of beauty, love and compassion. Through our creativity we share and experience these vertues. It is such a comfort to know that we are not alone on this journey of the human condition. I am definitely going to be looking for ways to help. As performers we have the ability to bring smiles to peoples faces.
Love of life reflected through our many creative outlets.
Forest
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Re: uh.. now what?
Thu, December 30, 2004 - 12:59 PMI'm still thinking I'm going to go. but I'm not certain.
my parents keep trying to convince me not to go, but I'm deferring decision until a couple days before it's time to go (I'm leaving january 13)
I anxiously await matthew news regarding kpn and the islands on the eastish side of things.
it might turn into more of a bangkok trip for me.
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Re: uh.. now what?
Fri, December 31, 2004 - 12:22 AM
unless someone says there are major problems with the islands in the East, I'm still planning to head down there, maybe after a couple days in Bangkok (leaving LA 1/11).
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Re: uh.. now what?
Fri, December 31, 2004 - 3:52 PMWell, three of us from Santa Cruz are still planning on coming on the 14th. Those of you who arrive over the next few weeks, please send info on the state of things. How are people feeling, how is travel, are there places to stay or is it overcrowded? Also, if anyone has info on assisting with the humanitarian effort, pass it along. I'll be looking online to see if there is work to be done in areas safe from disease. We were personally planning on spending 5 days on Khao Lak as soon as we got there. Feeling really lucky right now because it was completely wiped out.
Kara
