Khao Lak 2004 Blog

Project to predict impact of tsunami

AxelM — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 08:28:53 +0000

Would’nt it be great if it would be possible to predict the impact of future tsunami and better identify high risk areas? This information could help both with the planning of new buildings and evacuation strategies in the event of a future tsunami.

This is what professor Alastari Skelton, at the Stockholm University in Sweden in cooperation with the Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, is aiming to do.

The aim of the project is to use eye-witness reports of the 2004 tsunami to test computer simulations of the tsunamis impact. This project started in May 2007, with a workshop, where 20 survivors met with us in Stockholm. These survivors provided eye-witness reports which we have used to test the results of computer simulations and compared with measurements made using tidal gauges and satellite data. The preliminary results of this project are very promising but at the same time they highlight the need for more eye-witness reports. This is to ensure that our conclusions are statistically meaningful.

To you who where carried by the tsunami:

If you where carried by the tsunami, we would be very grateful if you would participate in our project by answering any of the seven questions on the questionnaire at www.tellus.geo.su.se/tsunami. Please either use the map on this web page to show how you were carried or describe your route in words. If you prefer to e-mail your account of the 2004 tsunami, please feel free to e-mail me or the project leader Alasdair Skelton. Please provide any information you think might be helpful and most important please describe your own
experiences.

Map update – affected area corrected

AxelM — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 07:59:00 +0000

A few days ago I got a mail pointing out that the map does not show any water affected areas north of Pakarang peninsula. Thank for the heads up! I have to admint I’ve been all too focused on the
central parts of Khao Lak. Well… its corrected now.

Map moved to new domain – www.khaolak2004.com

AxelM — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 07:29:00 +0000

The the december 26 2004 map is now at its new home www.khaolak2004.com. I plan to extent this site with pictures and a forum. Please sign up for the newsletter to get updates on this.

New map – the Khao Lak tourist map

AxelM — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 07:46:00 +0000

Ive had a bad feeling in the back of my head since I first published the map that the map would be bad PR for the area. Would the memories and pictures of the tsunami be the first and only thing that pops into peoples minds when hearing the name "Khao Lak" – instead of sun, beach and paradise? If it would, I surely wouldnt want the map to be one of the drives behind that. The community of Khao Lak is putting the disaster behind and is on its way to be very succesfull in rebuilding it. So I want to support and show their fantastic effort with an new map… the Tourist map of Khao Lak.

The new Khao Lak is published at www.khaolakmap.com.

My first visit to Khao Lak

AxelM — Tue, 09 May 2006 09:41:00 +0000

Wow! This was some intense and wonderful four days!

On my way back from a working trip to Cambodja, I had the chance to stay a few days in Khao Lak. When I arrived I had this strong sensation of home coming. Very strange as I never been here before. The sun was setting and it was becoming dark but I could recognize every building, every curve in the road. When getting closer to the place Mai’s Quiet Zone once where, I was over helmed by mixed feelings.There was a presence of my friend and it made me smile.

I stayed in a wonderful beach front bungalow at Ayara Villas. It was great. The food, the room… everything where much more then I ever could have expected. I highly can recommend this small resort.

There is a lot of things to write about regarding this visit. The evening I spent at Thupthung Guesthouse and the great hospitablity I felt there. Or the visit to Blue Village or all the early walks at sun rise. And maybe I will put my diary notes and pictures here. Some day…

Khao Lak map now for free

AxelM — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 14:14:04 +0000

The project has been a great success. The map has been downladed about 5.000 times. The printed map has been sold and given away about 1.000 times. It has been handed out to all who attended the Swedish and Norwegian official cermonies in Khao Lak.

Together we made it possible to pay the print (approx 1300 Euro) and a trip I am going to make in April. This means I no longer need to sell the map. The printed map is now free. Just send me a note if you need it.

So… to everybody who helped out with this project, bought the map or gave inspiration and strenght to contiunue the work… a huge thank you!!!

KHAO LAK MAP NEWSLETTER #14

AxelM — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 10:19:56 +0000

MAP UPDATE
Hi! Its been a tough last month for many of us. But I hope that you all came out of it resonable ok anyway. Last month I published a map update, but forgot to mail you about it. Today I made yet anohter update and did not forget you. Here is some of what is new:

- Sabai Sabai Restaurant on Bang Niang Beach added.
- Sabai Bungalows on Bang Niang Beach added.
- Baan Sanetra resort on Khao Lak Beach added.
- Point of Interest the building of family Krull added on the cape.
- Made several design changes.
- Added a few POI.
- Changed Ludda Resort to Ladda Resort
- Corrected some minor errors
- Added mapp key.

I think thats all updates…

GOING TO KHAO LAK IN APRIL
At last I will have the chance to see Khao Lak for the first time! I will stay for a couple of nights in beginning of April. So if anyone wants me to do anything for you when Im there, just drop me a line.

Map update

AxelM — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 21:49:31 +0000

New map uploaded today.
- Made several small design changes.
- Added a few POI.
- Changed Ludda Resort to Ladda Resort
- Corrected some minor errors

The latest map version is now 051226.
hmm I think thats all…

KHAO LAK MAP NEWSLETTER #13

AxelM — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 10:21:00 +0000

A major update is published today. Here follows a brief list of what is new:

- Altitude above sea level in 40 meter increments starting at +20 meter.
- Villages added
- Many lakes, mountains and streams is named.
- Two more resorts added. Fair House and Toni’s Lodge in Bang Niang.
- Design changes. Inset and colors.
- Corrections of typos and data.

Errata summary

AxelM — Sun, 13 Nov 2005 08:01:36 +0000

During the months since the first version the map has become better and better, with errors and mistakes being corrected and new data being added. But there always will be things that needs to be changed. And now, when the map is printed in its first edition, the need for a Errata list is evident.

If you have suggestions or if you find errors, dont hesitate to contact me! (Thankg you Alex for the heads up!)

On the map version 051011 (last printed map).
Ban Bang La on is wrongly called Nang Thong Village. (Read more in the post below.)
The Volunteer Center has moved into the entrance to Ban Bang La on.
Tublamu Pier could (or should) be called Thap Lamu.
Pak veep waterfall is normally called Pakweeb Waterfall

General errors
Text overlapping and other problems seems to occur if you use older Adobe Acrobat Reader then version 7.