Sunset at Patong Beach, Phuket Island

Posted by Patrick Leong (Suzhou, China) on 8 October 2007 in Landscape & Rural.

In the December 26, 2004 tsunami, those inside the tidal wave's reach saw everything being washed away. Many of the shop owners and vendors in Phuket were near bankruptcy.

"I wanted to get out of the place. At some point I just couldn't take it anymore. The sight - it was so immense and quite an emotional impact to everyone here. But...we need to stay for each other. We are committed to re-building Phuket (Patong Beach). Now night clubs are throbing with the beat of disco again. The recovery is not yet 100%, it will never be 100%", said my Thai friend during my recent visit to the island.