We are planning a trip to Thailand in March and April. We want to
spread our tourist dollars to most deserving areas, but still need to
shield our very young children from viewing any destruction that would
disturb them. What areas of coastal Thailand do you recommend? What
web sites can you suggest? What health concers exist for us and our
children, 2 and 4 years old?

The Karon & Kata Beach Area in Phuket, Thailand wasn't hit as bad as
others, and it has amazing sights. There are still visible signs of
debris and fallen trees, but not as extensive as places along the
coast. The best way to stay away from disturbing sights, is naturally
to stay away from the coast. But, by March and April, things will be
more cleared up from the December disaster...

The ten provinces in Thailand which border Myanmar are populated by
6.8 million Thais, over 120,000 displaced persons in nine UNHCR-run
camps, and an estimated 500,000 to 1 million registered and
undocumented migrants. The undocumented migrants are the largest
public health concern, as many do not have access to health services,
have increased morbidity and present a number of public health risks,
such as low immunization rates.

While some members of the at-risk migrant population live in
settlements, others are highly mobile, moving back and forth across
the border. This raises increased concerns over the transmission of
disease, such as multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, meningitis,
diphtheria, measles and drug-resistant malaria. Malaria and
tuberculosis are particular concerns in the border provinces.

I am posting some general up-to-date information.

Color-coded legend for hotels including sea front and sea view
resorts. Green ? everything okay.   Click on the links to the hotels. 
The links take you to the hotel web sites and these sites have
pictures of the facilities and how to make reservations.  Also map of
Thailand and location of hotel.
http://www.sawadee.com/tsunami/hotels.htm

Phuket and Andaman Today
A few weeks after the tsunami, Phuket and Andaman region is on the
road to a quick recovery. Most of the hotels and services resume to
normal operation. Tourist attractions and the coral reefs had a little
destruction, people in Phuket and Andaman region are ready to welcome
the tourists again.
http://www.tourismthailand.org/home.php


Health concerns.
Scroll down this web page through the countries until you get to
Thailand which the last one.
Health Priorities
Communicable diseases
Thailand:  No outbreaks have been reported
Source:  WHO.  February 5, 2005
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/HMYT-69AQHR?OpenDocument&rc=3&cc=tha

60 percent of clinics and hospitals have been destroyed by the waves
(lack of medical facilities); lack of clean drinking water; potential
for outbreaks of malaria, cholera, dysentery.
http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?ID=35727

The biggest health concern in Thailand is the depression the children
are suffering.  The worst thing anyone could do, according to
officials, is to ask the Thai children what they experienced.

Meadow Wolf