The Situation in Patong, Phuket

Here in Patong Beach, Phuket. There is still evidence of some destruction from the Christmas tsunami, particularly along the beachfront, but for the most part things are normal here. That is to say, they would be if it weren't for the election which involves the banning of all alcohol sales between 6PM yesterday and midnight tonight.

Things were eerily quiet last night with virtually all bars closed. Hopefully, the powers that be will allow alcohol sales to resume a bit earlier than the official midnight rule this evening as it looked like the shops and vendors were suffering a bit last night, and surely they've been through enough lately.

I would personally recommend that people put Phuket and other parts of Southern Thailand back on their agenda as there is, after all, little chance of another tsunami hitting for at least the next couple of centuries. Not only that, the South of Thailand is the only region preventing Thaksin from becoming the dictator of Thailand, and for that they deserve our support.