(All dates/times indicated is Bangkok time, unless otherwise indicated)

Destinations listed in alphabetical order. Latest news for each affected destination is pasted into the top of that destination's section i.e. news for each destination is presented in reverse chronological order.

INDIA
Status Report on the effect of tsunami on the coastal region of Kerala.

Kerala remains largely unaffected by the killer wave. No tourist or any tourist destination has been affected till now. Until now no loss of life to domestic or international tourists has been reported. The government has taken all precautionary measures for the safety of all tourists in the coastal areas of Kerala. Additional lifeguards have been deployed across all beach destinations of Kerala as a contingency measure. Experts from the meteorological department are confident in their assessment that there is little chance of any aftershock in the coastal areas of Kerala.

To reassure prospective visitors to Kerala, the Director of Tourism has uplinked an appeal on www.keralatourism.org. An e-mail campaign to all prominent tour operators (national & international), Govt. of India Tourist Offices abroad and prominent media is already underway.

The State government is also operating a 24-hour response cell to provide information to the public. For further information please contact: +91 471 2322 547 and +91 9447 123700

T O Sooraj, Director, Kerala Tourism

Source: Roy V Mathew
Date: Dec 27, 1850

###

In Kerala at this time no single tourist has been affected, however, 158 civilians are reported to be dead. Kerala was relatively unaffected compared to the other southern coastal areas of India.

Source: Roy V Mathew
Date: Dec 27, 1834

###

Tamil Nadu has been affected the most. In Mahabalipuram, all the hotels have been closed. The worst hit hotels are Temple bay / Ideal. Fisherman's Cove also has 20 cottages damaged which are on the beach. So far, there have been no casualities as far as tourists are concerned. All the guests have been transferred to Chennai, etc, who were earlier staying at Mahabalipuram.

We do not recommend visiting Mahabalipuram in the next 4-5 days.

In Pondicherry, no resorts are damaged as none of the hotels is situated on the beach front.

Kerala, as far as tourist destinations are concerned, no places have been effected. Everything is normal in Alleppey / Kumarakom / Kovalam / Cochin.

There is no problem in the backwaters and all boats and house boats are running as schedule.

All flights are operating as per shedule and there is no problem in Chennai / Trichy / Madurai / Cochin / Trivandrum.

The affected areas in Kerala are in Quilon / parts of Alleppey / near Cochin, but are mainly small villages and not the resorts.

Source: Prashant Maurya, "India Invites" via eTurboNews
Date: Dec 27, 1600

###

At 0600 IST, another underwater earthquake hit around the waters of our Andaman Group of Islands, a favourite tourist destination, the local authorities of Andaman have reported 3000 dead and another 4000 missing.

Source: Mr Arup Sen, Director, Cox & Kings (India) Ltd., Mumbai, India
Date: Dec 27, 1540

###

Affected areas in India:

a) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
b) Tamil Nadu including Capital city Chennai
c) Andhra Pradesh
d) Kerala (South western Kerala)
e) Orissa

The worst affected areas are Andaman Islands and the COASTAL AREAS of Tamil Nadu followed by Andhra Pradesh and Kerala and next would be Orissa.

The damage is only to the coastal areas and no damage inland. Mostly affected are the fisherman's villages on the coast and the other coastal towns.

Source: Nitin Sambhi, Worldview Tours
Date: Dec 27, 1535

###

We have a number of our clients travelling through the affected belt but till now, we are planning/controling all as scheduled. The main belt that has been affected is the South Eastern belt of India and the worst affected are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands where as special flight was sent yesterday for the rescue operations. All communications were cut off with the islands but the rescue process in under way. The second most affected area is the South Eastern coast of India, Chennai and South of Chennai towards Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and the southern tip of India towards Kanniyakumari, Kovalam and part of the South western coastal belt of India. The backwaters of Kerala and Cochin city there has been no significant damage that has been reported.

The search process is actively pursued by the State Governments of Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala with the Prime Minister of India announcing the fullest support from the Central government. The Air Force and the defence ministry has joined in the rescue operations and the air dropping of food/basic amenities has also started. Proper medical aid has started to be given to the people. At this point of time, there is no requirement for any foreign assistance and in fact, India has announced all possible assistance to Sri Lanka, which has been widely affected too with loss of life and property.

The rescue operations are in full swing with the Indian Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and local authorities doing all possible for such operations. The state governments and the chief ministers of these states are in control of the situation.

The Ports of Chennai have been reported to re-open for trade in another
24-48 hours for trade and commerce.

Our foreign tourists were incidentally in Chennai city and not in the coastal regions so they were safe and Chennai city is functioning normal now, except that people are not allowed near the coast/beach till further notice.

We are in constant touch with our foreign clients and are updating them on every situation. Our foreign tour operators have been updated in the situation to be able answer all questions that they might be asked by the families of the clients who are/were in South India.

The tourists/travellers are in good safe hands and the travellers in smaller towns are been arranged to be transferred to the bigger towns or cities and proper attention in terms of food, comunications etc is been given to them.

A regular updated report has been initiated by the Government of India to keep the world updated and we feel the situation should be in control in the next few days. However, the rehabitation process for the people who have lost their homes would take much more time and also the emotional trauma for the people's friends and relatives who have lost their lives would take much longer time.. A general atmosphere is still fear and panic amongst the local people fearing of another Tsunami wave which we expect to subside in a few days. There are right now a lot of homeless people who are been given food and medical attention and the re-habilitation process is also top priority for our governments but would take some time.

Some of the beach resorts on the South Eastern coast of India have been damaged with most of them on the beaches of Mahabalipuram (30 miles south of
Chennai) but the guests at most of these hotels were safe and sound

People have been advised not to go near the coast/shore till any further notice and the highways parallel to the coastal areas

Please let us know if we could be of any further assistance and we are very confident that the situation would be brought under much control in the next few days

Source: Nitin Sambhi, Worldview Tours
Date: Dec 27, 1500

###

Subject: More info on Chennai & Mahabalipuram tourist region

The impact of the Earthquake on the beach resorts is as follows:

Tamil Nadu:
Hotels in Chennai: ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS IN CHENNAI HOTELS

MAHABALIPURAM HOTELS:

GRT TEMPLE BAY CLOSED FOR RENOVATION. UNLIKELY TO BE OPENED UNTIL 3RD OR 4TH JAN'05
20-25 COTTAGES INCLUDING SEA VIEW CHALETS AFFECTED .. FURNITURE, INTERIOR ETC., DAMAGED

STERLING MAHABALIPURAM : YESTERDAY THE WATER CAME UPTO THE CAR PARKING. RESORT IS FUNCTIONING AS TOLD BY THE RESORT MANAGER WHICH IS NOT TRUE. LOCAL OFFICE HAS INFORMED NO RESIDENTS ARE STAYING

IDEAL BEACH RESORTS : TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR RENOVATION

MGM BEACH RESORTS : CLOSED FOR RENOVATION. QUITE SOME DAMAGES TO THE ROOMS & COTTAGES.
SHOULD BE OPERATIONAL FIRST WEEK OF JAN'05

FISHERMAN'S COVE : HOTEL FUNCTIONING NORMALLY WITH ROOMS. COTTAGES ARE NOT BEING LET OUT AS A MATTER OF PRECAUTION... QUITE SOME DEBRIS ETC., SCATTERED AROUND THE COTTAGES . A FEW COTTAGES TOO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED
ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY THROUGH ECR ROAD

NOTE : WE DO NOT RECOMMEND MAHABALIPURAM SIGHTSEEING FOR THE NEXT FEW 4 TO 5 DAYS AS THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL WARNINGS BY THE METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.
PONDICHERRY: ONE CAN REACH PONDI THROUGH DINDIVANAM ROUTE FROM CHENNAI.. ECR ROAD CLOSED FROM COVELONG TO PONDICHERRY

From: Prashant Maurya, "India Invites" [mailto:pmaurya@vsnl.net] thanks to eTurboNews

Date: December 27, 1440

###

120 people are feared dead in Kerala. Of which none of them are tourists.

Kovalam is a very popular beach destination in South Asia. This is the peak tourist season for Kerala and there will be around 7 - 10,000 tourists in and around Kovalam alone.

Source: Roy V Mathew

Date: December 26, Evening

INDONESIA
Bali is spared. Everything is fine here and business is as usual in Bali ! So far, we have not had any cancellations since Bali is totally NOT AFFECTED by the typhoon nor earthquake. Based on the geaographical area of Indonesia, Bali is 2,500 km away form the tip of Sumatera. We are also fortunate in Bali because the island is protected by Jawa which can block away any strong winds.

Source: Coreen Cheah, Director of Sales and Marketing, Bali Hilton International
Date: Dec 27, 1603

###

Bali has been unaffected by the event, however, the PATA Bali Chapter has set up an assistance centre. If you think and feel you want to help, you can send your donations, funds, clothes, items that you don't need anymore to the PATA Bali Chapter headquarter at the Renon BTB office.

Contact Evie, Tel: +62.361.226578 Fax: +62.361.226579, e-mail: patabalinusra@dps.centrin.net.id

When all funds and items are collected, PATA Bali Chapter will co-operate with the Rotary Club of Medan or another trustworthy organisation in North Sumatra to deliver help to the right people in need.

Source: Al Purwa, MBA Chairman PATA Bali Chapter.
Date: December 27, 1150


MALAYSIA
Only the western coast of peninsula Malaysia was affected, but it did extend further south than Penang to the states of Perak and Selangor, although the impact there was minimal, albeit causing a few deaths.

Certainly no impact in Sabah and Sarawak, nor the East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia, nor further south at Negri Sembila, Malacca and Johor.

Source: Tunku Iskandar
Date: Dec 27, 1730

###

As per confirmed reports, the northwest coast of Malaysia was affected. The central and south west coast was not affected except for mild tremors. The same for the east coast and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak). Most of Malaysia did not even know anything happened until they heard it on the news late evening yesterday.

Source: A Pradeep Kumar
Chief Operating Officer
Taylor's College, School of Hospitality and Tourism

Date: December 27, 1530

MYANMAR
In the southern archipelago of Myanmar, only one bridge was damaged in Kaw Thaung and some small fishing trawler boats were damaged. Until now no report of death. The other archipelago towns of Dawei and Myeik had not damage.

Source: Mr Maung Maung Swe, President, SM Tours & Transport, Yangon, Myanmar
Date: Dec 27, 1833

###

Re: Effects of earthquake and tidal waves in Myanmar

Please be informed that there are currently no news reports on any damage caused by the earthquake of Sunday 26 December in Myanmar. In Yangon we did feel the quake, however the tremors were weak and did not cause damage.

We have checked with our two beach destinations – Ngwe Saung Beach and Ngapali Beach and reportedly there was some increased tidal activity on Sunday morning, however no damage or immediate danger to our clients.

Both BBC and CNN do not report on Myanmar and we do receive questions from overseas clients and agents regarding the situation here. As mentioned above, there are luckily no effects at this moment.

Should you have made arrangements to Thailand, please check with your local operator there on the latest situation.

Should you have any questions, please do contact us at:

E-mail : Maarten@diethelm.com.mm
E-mail : leisure@diethelm.com.mm

TEL: (95 1) 652 898, 652 906
FAX: (95 1) 653 182, 652 907
DIRECT LINE : (95 1) 653 183
MOBILE : (95 9) 99 28169.

We wish all of you who are more directly involved the best of luck in this situation!

Source Maarten Groeneveld & team, Diethelm Travel Myanmar

Date: Dec 27, 1535

###

We are happy to inform you that the large earthquake north of Sumatra in the Indian Ocean did not at all affect Ngapali beach, Chauntha beach or Ngwe Saung beach in Myanmar.

The only occurrence was that their were no regular tides during the day yesterday, the sea was moved back and forth, but stayed as far as usual off the beach front.

Myanmar's main tour destinations like Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake area also had a little quake, which did not result in damage to buildings or people.

Please be so kind and inform your clients accordingly about this positive information.

With regards

Maung Maung Swe
President
SM TOURS & TRANSPORT CO., LTD.
NO 81 PHONE GYEE ROAD,
LANMADAW 11131
YANGON, MYANAMR.
Te: (95-1) 225774~ 6, 227133, 228781, 228789
Fax: (95-1) 227225, 221003, 222783
E-mail: smtours@myanmar.com.mm, smtours@mptmail.net.mm
Web site: smmyanmar.com

Date: Dec 27, 1145 --


SRI LANKA
The situation is pretty bad. It is now estimated (according to a large voluntary organisation Sarvodaya) that the death toll may be as much as 15,000, and over a million affected in some way, Loss of property (houses, belongings etc). Managing the aftermath is very important now. Sri Lanka is not on the earth quake belt and no one expected such a thing to ever happen. The last recorded incident has happened in Sri Lanka in 1615.

Although no reliable figures are available there may be at least 100 tourists among the dead. The first wave hit around 0930 Sunday morning and many were on the beaches or near them and were taken unawares. The Tourist Board and the travel industry are now working hard to assess the actual number and several teams are out assessing the damage.

All most all the tourist hotels have been damaged in various degrees on the south and south east areas. The impact was felt to two thirds of the coastline of Sri Lanka. A hotel near the Yala Game Lodge was hit strong and several of the staff of the hotel and tourists are missing. It has been declared a national disaster and many organisations are working now. The Xmas holidays are a dampener as many were on vacation and some of the international organisation staff on home leave. We need a massive effort in support and assistance as we were not ready at all to deal with a calamity of this magnitude. Please call for assistance in whatever way the world can to help the people in need here.

Renton de Alwis
Date: Dec 27, 1745


THAILAND
THAI Increases Special Flights and Changes Aircraft Type to Facilitate Passengers in Phuket

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced a change to larger aircraft type and 2 special flights to facilitate passengers and the injured affected by the natural disaster, transporting them from Phuket to Bangkok.
Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI's President, said that the airline has changed aircraft types and increased flights routed from Phuket to Bangkok, to transport the injured and passengers affected by natural disaster in the South as of 27 December 2004 onwards.

Change of aircraft type for flights routed Phuket-Bangkok:
- Flight TG218 departs Phuket at 1845 hours and arrives in Bangkok at 2020 hours, with a change to larger aircraft type utilizing Boeing 777-300 aircraft that equips 388 seats, 49 in business class and 339 in economy class.
- Flight TG216 departs Phuket at 2135 hours and arrives in Bangkok at 2300 hours, with a change to larger aircraft type utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft that equips 389 seats, 64 in business class and 326 in economy class.

Increase special flights routed Phuket-Bangkok, to transport passengers and injured:
- Flight TG SOS1 departs Phuket at 1915 hours and arrives in Bangkok at 2035 hours utilizing Boeing 777-200 aircraft that equips 358 seats.
- Flight TG SOS2 departs Phuket at 0120 hours and arrives in Bangkok at 0240 hours utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft that equips 389 seats.

Date: Dec 27, 1710

###

Koh Lanta, Krabi; Ba Kan Tiang beach; We are all safe (guest & staff) and working on clean up. Front row suites (4 units) on the beach are damaged and so is our beach restaurant. All the rest is operational.

Source: Franck de Lestapis, GM, Pimalai Resort & Spa, Krabi, Thailand
Date: Dec 27, 1652

###

On behalf of Central Hotels & Resorts, I'd like to confirm that the areas affected from the tidal waves are Andaman Sea coast only—not resorts in the Gulf of Siam such as Samui, Hua Hin or Pattaya. and our hotels-Central Karon Village, Phuket and Central Waterfront Suite, Phuket are safe from the tidal waves.

Kanokros Wongvakin, Director of Group Marketing Communications, Central Hotels & Resorts
Date: Dec 27, 1606

###

THAI Coordinates with TAT to Transport the Injured and Passengers from the South to Bangkok on Complementary Basis

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited coordinated with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to provide complementary transportation for Thai people and expatriates affected by the natural disaster in Southern Thailand.

Complementary transportation will be provided to Bangkok for those injured and in need of medical treatment, which includes transport of the deceased.

Passengers and the injured will be transported from Phuket and Krabi by THAI flights to Bangkok for treatment at hospitals in Bangkok, those being Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Thammasat Rangsit Center Hospital, and others, effective during the afternoon of 27 December 2004 onwards.

THAI's normal flights to and from Southern Thailand will be operated as follows:

Phuket:
- Bangkok – Phuket at 9 flights per day
- Phuket – Bangkok at 14 flights per day

Krabi:
- Bangkok – Krabi at 4 flights per day
- Krabi – Bangkok at 4 flights per day

Passengers and the injured seeking transportation to Bangkok or those seeking to transport the deceased to Bangkok may contact:

THAI's Office at Phuket International Airport at Tel. (076) 205-335, (076) 327-194.

THAI's Town Office in Phuket at Tel. (076) 212-400, (076) 211-195.

THAI has established a Help Desk Center at the Domestic Terminal of Bangkok International Airport at Tel. (02) 535-7670 to 3.

Date: Dec 27, 1535

###

This is to inform you that on 26th December 2004 in the morning a big tidal wave hit Khaolak, Phang-Nga. We had evacuated some guests to stay at Khaolak Nature Park since yesterday.

We have visited hospitals to find our guests in case they were injured. A list of guests alive and lost will be submitted to us soon by the hotel.

We at Vision Marketing, Khaolak Sunset Resort and Khaolak Orchid Beach Resort, Phang-Nga are doing our best in giving any information & help needed by any of our clients or their relatives/agents on phone no. (66 2) 9244818 to 9 or by mail or at visionth@ksc.th.com.

Napaporn Wattanachartkanun
Director/Vision Marketing Co.,ltd
for and on behalf of Khaolak Sunset Resort
and Khaolak Orchid Beach Resort, Phang-Nga

Date: December 27, 1207

###

Two consular officers from the Indian embassy have been sent to Phuket town to help Indian travellers who may have lost travel documents in the crisis

Indian embassy (Bangkok) emergency number: (66-2) 260-4166

Source. Indian Embassy
Date: Dec 27, 1110

###

Dear Friends and Partners,

We like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your e-mails, phone calls and SMS asking if we are OK. And we thank you all for thinking about us.

We, the Phulay Beach Krabi Aprime Resort are happy to report that all our guests and staff are safe and there is no damage to our property at all.

We have been very lucky and are very thankful that we have been spared from harm.

With best regards

Heribert Gaksch
General Manager
Phulay Beach Krabi Aprime Resort
T: +66 75 628 111
F: +66 75 628 100
E: hotel@phulaybeach.com

Date: Dec 27, 1052

The JW Marriott Resort & Spa (in Phuket) is open and operating. All guests and associates have been accounted for. Some damage sustained in the beach area, the gardens and pool area. Pool reopens tomorrow. Aside from cleaning up, the hotel is shifting into humanitarian mode, assisting other hotels in the area.

Source:
June M. Farrell
Vice President, International Public Relations
Marriott International, Inc.
(301) 380-7796 phone
(301) 380-4684 fax
june.farrell.@marriott.com

Date: December 27, 0830

###

The following hotels have been damaged and may be closed in the next days for repair:

Phuket:
Pearl Village
Anantara Coco Palm Beach
Amari Coral Beach
Club Andaman
Phuket Tropica
Patong Beach Resort
Boat House
Club Med

Khao Lak:
Ko Yao Resort
Sofitel Khao Lak
Meridien Khao Lak
Anantara Coco Palm Beach

Source: Asian Trails
Date: Dec 26, Evening

OTHER
Imperial Hotels Group is not affected by the December 26 tidal wave disaster in the Indian Ocean as they do not have any business in the affected areas.

Source: Prapansak Bhatayanond, Vice Chairman & Senior Deputy MD, Imperial Hotels Group

Date: December 27, 1210

Website: Indian Ocean Crisis News ~ http://www.pata.org/patasite/index.php?id=1112