min0 lee

Ghouls rush in

On Phuket, disaster's just an inconvenience to rich who gripe about views, bubbly

BY RAFAEL D. FRANKEL
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

Family sunbathes on Kata beach in Phuket. At same beach yesterday, resort patrons turned backs on others’ misery. Foreign couple, she topless, feel they have it made in the shade. PHUKET, Thailand - While volunteers struggled to collect bodies washing up on the once-pristine beaches of this upscale resort isle, ghoulish tourists rolled out their towels yesterday, doffed their bikini tops and vacationed like nothing had happened.

On Patong Beach and Kata Beach - where hundreds died or disappeared four days ago - the smell of suntan lotion wafted from the shore as a new influx of tourists determinedly ignored the carnage around them, frolicking in the surf or reading under umbrellas.

An indignant Russian who arrived at the Novotel Phuket Resort on the day after the tsunami loudly complained that there was no champagne reception.

Other guests have pestered the hotel's grieving staff with complaints that their rooms lack good views.

Belgian tourist Desmet Romain, 42, questioned whether he should have stayed on despite all the death and misery.

But the prospect of missing the New Year's beach holiday he had been looking forward to all year was too much to bear.

"I didn't want to go back to Belgium where it is so cold," Romain said. "And in this hotel, it's like everything is totally normal."

Some Thais are amazed that the foreigners can be so insensitive to be sipping cocktails poolside while surrounded by death and grief.

"I think the people are good, but I don't know why they stay here now when we are so sad," a waiter at the Novotel said, asking that his name not be reported out of fear of losing his job.

The beaches of Patong and Kata were filling up with tourists and Thais when the tsunami hit Sunday. Nearly 300 are confirmed dead, including more than 100 tourists.

Another 1,600 people are still missing from Phuket beaches, and there is an army of grieving family members searching for them.

As bodies continue to wash up on Phuket's shores and are stacked in makeshift morgues, the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket is erecting big tents, installing cotton candy machines and bringing in caged animals in preparation for the gala New Year's Eve circus party it promised.

"We do want to keep it a happy theme," Sheraton marketing communications manager Zahid Ali said. "Our guests came here during the holidays and they do want to enjoy it."

But in a nod to the tragedy surrounding them, the Sheraton canceled its $2,500 fireworks display and will observe a moment of silence, Ali said.

The hotel is also donating all the proceeds from its circus party to the disaster relief fund it set up for staff members who lost family and homes to the tidal wave.

The Thai survivors on Phuket are preparing to mark the new year in a much more somber manner.

"I will go to the temple to make merit for all the dead people," said Supone Sengsahus, 43, who drives a converted pickup truck as a taxi. His friend, Moone Penmit, 35, who owns a restaurant, also was not in the mood for a party after a friend of his was killed in the disaster. "Many people are not enjoying New Year's this time," he said.

dg806

They will actually need the tourist money to help rebuild, so it's not a bad thing.

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min0 lee

That is a fact, but they can show some class and restrain.

ALBOB

I was kind of thinking the same thing but couldn't come up with a tactful way of saying it. Good job DG.

I agree with you min0, they aren't showing much class. But then again, they were probably just as classless BEFORE the big wave. I guess we have to take the bad with the good. Just smile and know their money is sorely needed.

Rules? You mean we have RULES for that???

Little Wing

i can't see how anyone could be in a place filled with so much grief and not have it affect them. yes they will need money but to worry about your tan when peoples loved ones are being collected nearby... c'mon.

Jeeper

I agree that they are being very rude but I cant say what I would do if I had planned a once in a lifetime vacation and the tsunami hit. Those countries are all about the tourist dollar and will be complaining later that no one comes there. Tough situation!

PreMier

Because the death of one is a tragedy.. but the death of many is a statistic.

P-side Inc.

"the post-workout high is more profound than any drug-induced rush imaginable." -Dante B.

perfectbody

i remember marilyn manson song. cool






What is more important news, a batch of tourists killed by the wave or those numerous people wiped out of the beach? What makes human is that they feel for the others whether they are affected or not.

crimsondestinyx

i'd be a bit nervous laying on a beach that was just hit by a tsunami

DFINEST

This sounds like the end justifies the means.

Drama is the result of an attempt
to find wholeness & success
in the midst of forces that have been
birthed in chaos and nurtured in confusion.
-- No More Drama

Mudge

A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic. Josef Stalin

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