VISIT TO KOH PHI PHI
Date:
2nd April 2005
Present:
Lucas, Randall Haime, Stephen and Kirsten Ashcroft
Purpose:
To follow up initial visit, check money had been wired and to actually work this time! and data collection for PSA website...
Accomodation:
Phi Phi Villas – Koh Phi Phi
MEETINGS
Hi Phi Phi
Phi Phi ‘Tsunami’
Dive Camp
contact – Apichat Lanlongsa (La)
contact – Andrew Hewett, The Adventure Club
HI PHI PHI
Date:
Saturday 2nd April 2005
Location:
New Hi Phi Phi Office (free rent)
Irony?
The New Office is in the building just behind the roof we were on!
Current:
The Hi Phi Phi workforce of 20 men two weeks ago has risen to 65. This is just the men cleaning up the town. The addition of the specific office has created more administration jobs and now there are almost 85 thai people employed by the Hi Phi Phi organization on Koh Phi Phi and Krabi.

Each worker has been documented by filling in a form explaining their previous employment before the tsunami. La was pleased to report that some members of the team had their previous businesses up and running again.
PSA Money:
Had been gratefully received on 30th March 2005. The instalment concept will provide reassurance for the Hi Phi Phi team for the forthcoming months, and clearly without our help the rapid expansion of the organization would not have been possible.
Volunteers:
Many of the volunteers fall under the Hi Phi Phi umbrella. One of the shops in the main street has been converted into the volunteers canteen which is catered by local Thai women. The volunteers segment of the Hi Phi Phi set-up operates from Carlito’s Bar. Workers report here in the morning and then are assigned a location to work. Tools can be signed out of the tool shed but must be signed back in at the end of the day. Theoretically, each job location should have a team leader but this isn’t always the case.
Scenario:
There is a danger of being overloaded with back packer volunteers who have good intention but lack the graft or knowledge to carry out specific work, whilst still making the most of the hand outs. Over 120 volunteer lunches were eaten on the Saturday we were working!
Solution:
An iD card system will be brought in for the core members of helpers and a ‘pledge your hours/duration of stay’ may be implemented for new arrivals.
Our Voluntaty Help
Sat pm :
loading sand and rubble via wheel barrow into a retaining wall to build p the level to create a terrace on the platform where two small bungalows once stood.
Sun am:
Collecting masonry and rubble to make up the sub- base – much of it needed crushed by sledge hammer. Mixing and laying first base of concrete.
Sun pm:
Mixing and laying top layer of wet mix concrete – tampering and screed to John’s specification.
(John and Sean – father and son from Kildare, Ireland learned about the need for experienced construction workers on Phi Phi via a talk show on tv. They have been working 3 weeks now and plan to extend their visa’s. It was a pleasure and rewarding day working with John and Sean – their knowledge and leadership is invaluable for the volunteers and the reconstruction of damaged buildings on the island).
PHI PHI 'TSUNAMI' DIVE CAMP
Date:
Sunday 3rd April 2005
Location:

Carlito's Bar

Current:

Andrew and his team have been diving 2 times a day (except Sunday’s) in the same spot (south west corner of Ton Sai Bay) for 6 weeks now and have recovered around 50 tonnes of debris.

Andrew has done an exploratory dive along the reef line and was encouraged to see not as much debris in the bay. He estimated the clean up would take 3-6 months.
Extra Help:
The French Government are sending a team of 20 divers to help with the Dive Camp. This team are self supported by a E35,000 grant. Andrew has earmarked a complete bungalow for them to disassemble and bring up!

They have had the use of a cocker spaniel sniffer dog who can pick up the scent of bodies and human remains when held over the surface of the sea. The spaniel located a particular area in a bay and a dive recovered 3 small bones!!

How can the P S A help?

Andrew had not had a chance to check his accounts but he was informed of the wired money leaving the UK. Rather than the Hi Phi Phi instalment system he would prefer to work with funds on an ‘as and when he needs it’. He does not want to end up with surplus money.
MICHAEL EAVIS CONNECTION
I spoke with Andrew about the concept of a town hall for the island. He endorsed the idea but said it was Hi Phi Phi’s department.

He would love to have a concert on the island as a fund raiser, with some profile bands. The idea and location is fantastic but the island would need to build up a much bigger infrastructure as it would surely be very popular.