Tourists get all the support, say locals

[DoYouEverWonder]

January 01, 2005

BAN NAM KHEM, Thailand: While foreign survivors were put up in an international school complete with beds, televisions and internet connections, locals from a devastated fishing village slept outside, many without blankets, burning wood to keep warm and keep mosquitoes at bay.

Locals said yesterday they were torn between wanting to help the foreigners who were the lifeblood of their economy and getting what they could from the relief effort.

"No one came to help, we just helped each other out," said 65-year-old Yokhin Chuaynui, whose home in the fishing village of Ban Nam Khem was destroyed.

"When injured Thais went to the hospital, if they weren't about to die, they helped the Westerners first."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11824580%5E2703,00.html

[rodeodance]

1. helping the 'westerners' first!! not surpirzing!!

[illflem]

2. Sometimes not cutting off the hand that feeds you

is a tough choice...

[heidler1]

3. Is preferrential treatment consistant with intelligent design?

Is it consistant with Jesus's teachings? Are Tsunamies part of intelligent design? How about the deaths of innocent people?

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[brook]

4. I was lucky...

in finding two sources who have the connections to get aid directly to the locals. I just finished putting together the first box of t-shirts, shorts and flipflops. This is for a man who has family in Sri Lanka. I'm donating money to the other source who has an orphanage and mobile medical unit there. Both men work here in my community.

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. Would you mind posting the info for these agencies

I'm a screen printer and I have lots of 'dud' t-shirts. I wouldn't mind getting them to a place where they won't get trashed and will actually get to the folks who can use this sort of thing.

Thanks.

[brook]

7. Could I PM you?

I don't want to break any board rules here - but I'd be happy to give you the contact info - and I know your 'dud' duds would be a godsend to many!

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. Yeah, that would be great

Thanks

[arikara]

9. I saw a clip on the news, CBC I think

where tourists were sitting around on the beach tanning, and some in the bars having drinky poos and quite enjoying themselves finishing up their vacations. The locals were totally devastated, still cleaning up, trying to find food, water, looking for their dead and trying to care for the injured. The westerners were healthy able-bodied people. I guess they paid for a vacation and a vacation they are going to have.