Town of Braintree

Best way

The best way to donate:
go to amazon.com



By Jeff Bezos

whats going on here?

PHUKET Thailand While volunteers struggled to collect bodies washing up on the once-pristine beaches of this upscale resort isle, ghoulish tourists rolled out their towels yesterday, doffed their bikini tops and vacationed like nothing had happened.
On Patong Beach and Kata Beach - where hundreds died or disappeared four days ago - the smell of suntan lotion wafted from the shore as a new influx of tourists determinedly ignored the carnage around them, frolicking in the surf or reading under umbrellas.

An indignant Russian who arrived at the Novotel Phuket Resort on the day after the tsunami loudly complained that there was no champagne reception.

Other guests have pestered the hotel's grieving staff with complaints that their rooms lack good views.

Belgian tourist Desmet Romain, 42, questioned whether he should have stayed on despite all the death and misery.

But the prospect of missing the New Year's beach holiday he had been looking forward to all year was too much to bear.

''I didn't want to go back to Belgium where it is so cold,'' Romain said. ''And in this hotel, it's like everything is totally normal.''

Some Thais are amazed that the foreigners can be so insensitive to be sipping cocktails poolside while surrounded by death and grief.

''I think the people are good, but I don't know why they stay here now when we are so sad,'' a waiter at the Novotel said, asking that his name not be reported out of fear of losing his job.

The beaches of Patong and Kata were filling up with tourists and Thais when the tsunami hit Sunday. Nearly 300 are confirmed dead, including more than 100 tourists.

Another 1,600 people are still missing from Phuket beaches, and there is an army of grieving family members searching for them.

As bodies continue to wash up on Phuket's shores and are stacked in makeshift morgues, the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket is erecting big tents, installing cotton candy machines and bringing in caged animals in preparation for the gala New Year's Eve circus party it promised.

''We do want to keep it a happy theme,'' Sheraton marketing communications manager Zahid Ali said. ''Our guests came here during the holidays and they do want to enjoy it.''

But in a nod to the tragedy surrounding them, the Sheraton canceled its $2,500 fireworks display and will observe a moment of silence, Ali said.

The hotel is also donating all the proceeds from its circus party to the disaster relief fund it set up for staff members who lost family and homes to the tidal wave.

The Thai survivors on Phuket are preparing to mark the new year in a much more somber manner.

''I will go to the temple to make merit for all the dead people,'' said Supone Sengsahus, 43, who drives a converted pickup truck as a taxi.

His friend, Moone Penmit, 35, who owns a restaurant, also was not in the mood for a party after a friend of his was killed in the disaster.

''Many people are not enjoying New Year's this time,'' he said.

Tsunami Vics

I forgot to add Quirk Auto to the list.

These companies have had their way with Braintree for years.
They have the connections to get public fund raising underway.

These guys could use a good dosage of public goodwill.


By No Override Guy

are we,America being had

IT seems almost impossible.
Just days after the tidal wave disaster, one of the devastated beaches was returning to normal yesterday.
On Sunday, Patong Beach was hit by a wall of water that swept into Phuket, claiming at least 120 lives.
Parasols, chairs, and other beach paraphernalia were swept to the top of the tree-lined beach, dragging helpless holidaymakers with them. It was at this beach that six-month-old Melina Heppell, of Perth, disappeared from her father's arms when the huge wave struck.
For some tourists yesterday, however, the tragedy was becoming a memory, albeit a vivid one, as they made the most of the weather and topped up their tans.
Many in bathers and bikinis, some lounged on sunbeds and others took a dip in the water that had claimed so many lives a few days earlier.
Their fun in the sun came despite warnings that aftershocks could follow the disaster that is likely to have killed as many as 100,000.
As many Westerners waited for news of missing loved ones others arrived to take holidays as usual.
Engineer Paul Cunliffe, from Manchester, arrived on an almost empty flight from Malaysia. Gin and tonic in hand, Mr Cunliffe said he and two friends were booked into a beach-front hotel that had escaped serious damage, and had been assured of a ''wonderful holiday''.
''Our friends think we're mad. The only risk we face I think is if there's another quake. We love the place that much and we thought we would take the risk,'' he said.
Further south at Surin Beach, where 10 died, tourists also were out in force.