THAILAND - Phi Phi island still struggling

Bangkokpost.com, Monday December 25, 2006

Koh Phi Phi _ It seems, at a quick glance, that this paradise island in Krabi province has made a remarkable recovery. Tourists are returning, with resorts, guesthouses, restaurants, internet cafes, convenience stores, bars and vendors lining the road at Ao Ton Sai, the front bay of Phi Phi Don island.
But for most local people and business operators, the island's rehabilitation is proceeding at a slow pace.
''Phi Phi should have recovered faster and better given that two years have gone by and the natural resources that remained.
''But we've lost so many opportunities, because the government was not sincere about helping us,'' complained Natthawut Kaenthong, coordinator of a joint rescue operation for small entrepreneurs and tsunami victims on the island.
The attempts by the previous government to put Koh Phi Phi under the Designated Area for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta), with the proposed plan to develop the island into a high-end tourism destination, had faced strong opposition from local residents and stalled the rehabilitation process.

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