Photo Tour
Tsunami Aftermath
102 days after the tsunami hit Phi Phi Island
World Vision had a gathering at Patong Beach.
World Vision Foundation of Thailand is a partner of World Vision International, which has more than 100 members in the partnership all over the world helping poor and needy people.
Scared people are evacuating up the hillside behind Patong a short time after the tsunami hit the beach.
The roads was packed with cars and motorbikes driving out of Patong. We was told that a mega big wave was on its way and we all had to evacuate to higher ground.
People look down on Patong Beach from a safe distance while we await the next flood wave that never materialize.
Patong Bay one or two hours after the tsunami hit Patong Beach.
The famous Banana Disco at the beach road in Patong.
At Da Rico’s Pizza, Beach Road, close to Savoy.
One of the most photographed motives on Patong Beach that day.
Walking along the beach road. The road has been cleared so it's possible to drive trough. To the right Restaurant Savoey.
Cars from the parking lot next to the beach stopped by a palm tree.
A longtail boat washed up onto land along the beach road.
World Sport Center was right in the path for the destructive waves.
Lots of debrise on Patong Beach the day after.
The whole town was out walking on the beach road to check out the tsunami damage.
A few people are again swimming on Patong Beach.
Destroyed houses at Kamala Beach. In the background we see Baan Kamala School.
Kamala Temple where three monks died.
Kamala Beach
Kamala Beach
People sunbathing on Patong Beach attract TV crews. Like those two we see walking in the background.
Patong Beach is mostly deserted.
One of several shipwrecks on Patong Beach.
Surin Beach was very little affected by the tsunami. One week later it's business as usual on the beach.
One of many bamboo restaurants that line Surin Beach.
There is a bigger chance to see a TV crew than tourists in Phuket these days. In the background we see resort bungalows at the southern end of Bang Tao Beach. This part of the beach was damaged by the tsunami.
Charter tourists has gone home and the beaches of Kata and Karon are very quiet.
Karon Beach is very beautiful without sunbeds and umbrellas.
I have never seen Maya Bay so peaceful before!
Phi Phi Leh Island is as beautiful as ever!
Time for lunch at Laem Tong Beach, Phi Phi Don Island.
We had Khai Nai Island for our self.
Bangla Road on the last night of "Revive Patong And Phuket" concerts.
Nickys Handle Bar touring Soi Bangla.
Umbrellas and sunbeds is back on Patong Beach. The beach is back to normal.
Baan Kamala School has been repaired. The school is back to normal.
Diving shop on Batok Beach destroyed by the tsunami.
Yanui Beach took a big hit from the tsunami. Many buildings and bungalows was destroyed.
Our favorite beach vendors on Patong Beach survived the tsunami by running as fast as they could.
Savoey Seafood along the beach road is open.
And so is Baitong Seafood together with several other restaurants along the beach road.
Starbucks Coffee work hard to reopen in the near future. But I can't say the same of McDonalds. It is a disgrace that McDonalds have done nothing to repair their shop.
James Bond Island is the same as before the tsunami.
But this tourist spot must have some of the most intrusive vendors in all Thailand.
The famous rock.
Today it was low tide.
For the first time we see all the way to the twin bay.
The tsunami has turned Ton Sai into a desert.
Here was PP Princess and PP Charlie Beach Resort.
Overlooking the devastated Ton Sai area from Pee Pee Viewpoint.
To the left is Phi Phi Hotel and in the middle Phi Phi Island Cabana Hotel.
Everything is destroyed in Ton Sai, except for larger buildings.
Long Beach was mostly spared from the destructive waves of the tsunami. Bungalows go for half price of what is normal for this time of year.
Kata Noi Beach almost as beautiful as before. But some of the beach vegetation is dead.
Freedom Beach was hit hard by the tsunami, but now the beach is almost back to normal. Feeding tropical fish is always popular with tourists.
Freedom Beach is a beautiful beach 10-15 minutes boat tour from Patong.
One of many concerts in Patong after the tsunami. Patong Beach Festival was broadcasted live on Thai TV.
6 boxes of school material from a primary school in La Seyne, France has finally after many problems arrived for
distribution at Baan Kamala School.
Franco Roma Italian Restaurant is known from the tsunami video that was shown on TV stations around the world. Now Franco Roma has been restored to its former glory.
Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa is located along the beach road and was saved by a concrete wall that absorbed the water.
Casuarina Patong Garden Resort is being demolished after the tsunami.
Diving shop on Batok Beach is being rebuild.
Snorkeling is very popular in the clear waters surrounding Racha Island.
Coral Island is a popular day trip destination.
Seaview Patong Hotel is located at the most southern end of Patong Beach. The sign in front of the hotel say: Maintenance in progress... Open on 1st July, 2005. The latest news is that the date has changed to 1st August.
Beach Volleyball, Phi Phi Don Village.
One of the players is a friend that luckily escaped the deadly waves.
Tourists are back on Phi Phi Don Island.
Phi Phi Island Cabana Hotel is now open. 700 baht for room with fan but no TV.
To the right was PP Princess Resort.
Phuket Aquarium reopened on 9.April 2005 after being closed for 2 and a half years for renovation.
The aquarium was partly damaged by the tsunami.
Written by Kay on 26 August, 2006
Thanks for all photos, I live at Kata beach last year from November to early may this year (2006) i would love to go back again and this time maybe stay longer time. Thailand is a wonderful country with all lovely people,food,weather.....Everything with Thailand is wonderful
Written by Erika on 3 August, 2006
thank you. I was at the seaview hotel when the tsunami hit us. I really appreciate this site, cause I\'ve had a hard time finding pictures and text\'s about seaview hotel,and patong beach
Written by Kristine Wolf on 6 July, 2006
I just viewed some amazing pictures! What an incredibly beautiful place! I hope some day to visit this part of the world. I don\'t think I will be disappointed! Thank you!
Written by Tracey on 8 May, 2006
Great pictures!My boyfriend and i visited phuket 3 years ago for the first time and loved it. We have just returned from a 2 week stay in karon and are going back at christmas. It will take more than a tsunami to stop us visiting this fantastic island with wonderful people. Thanks, phuket for a great time....again!!!
Written by Karen and Wayne Matthews on 12 March, 2006
We are here on honeymoon March 2006 and after seeing the Tsunami on tv it is incredible that the place has recovered so quickly. Fantasic photos
Written by julie on 4 March, 2006
beautiful photos,phi phi is heaven/paradise thank you
Written by Ric on 28 February, 2006
Great photos guys.Me and my girlfriend were in Kamala the day the Tsunami hit.We are hoping to go back again this Xmas. It is simply the nicest place in the world!
Written by Lindsay and Olivia on 13 February, 2006
Great Photos: My wife and I visited Phuket Patong Beach 2 February 2006 for our honeymoon. We are from Cape Town South Africa. Our honeymoon could not have been better. The people, the Shops, the whole city vibe was amazing. We had the best time of our lives. Phuket made our honeymoon Perfect. We going back this december again but with friends. To my wife and I Phuket is the number 1 holiday distination on our list. We love it. May it always remain just the way it is.....Perfect
Written by ena on 22 January, 2006
world paradise... a dream destination...
Written by Steve & Trish on 10 July, 2005
Great Photos thank you. We were in Patong 6 months before the tsunami and went back 6 months after. Beautiful island and the Thai people are so nice, they have worked so hard to clean up and rebuild everything so please go back and support them.
Written by Shake/Ram/Jam/Sel/Mo on 2 July, 2005
Great photos. For everybody informstion me and my friends was in Patong from the 24 till 27th June2005. No sign of Tsunami as everthing looks normal and the place is wonderful...like HEAVEN if you now what i mean.
Written by Ella on 30 June, 2005
Thanks for the pictures. Still as pretty as ever. Will go back there very soon
Written by Survivor Kamala on 30 May, 2005
Thanks for the pictures.We were in thailand at Kamala Beach when the wave came.We are lucky -we survive.It was 12 meters high water.Not a big wave--the water just rise and rise. We were back in March-please all tourism--go back--the thaipeople need you....
Written by Anke on 21 May, 2005
Thanks for those really nice pictures. We were in Thailand a few years ago and would love to go again, but we did not know how the situation would be after the Tsunami. But it is still as beautiful as it was!