Just a week after the destructive Thailand tsunami hit the Southern beaches of Thailand, causing the loss of more than 4,500 people in Thailand alone, tourists are back strolling the beaches of Phuket to enjoy their holiday.

Interior Minister Bhokin Bhalakula praised the authorities of Phuket for the rapid restoration of parts of the island, called The Pearl Of The Andaman Sea. In places such as Patong Beach, many beach restaurants, shops and bars are already repaired an open for business.

While still in mourning over the tragedy that the tsunami brought, the people of Phuket are aware that the rebuilding of their future depends on the tourism economy and the income generated by welcoming tourists back to Phuket beaches is very important for them.

Interior Minister Bhokin expressed confidence that the speedy restoration of the beaches in Phuket would spur similar efforts in the nearby tourist resorts of Khao Lak and Phi Phi, both more badly hit than Phuket by the tsunami wave.