it bought a lot of new cars, plasma tv and motor bikes for ngos involved in the scam

Alot of money did go into the renovation and upkeep of the resorts and beach areas hit by the tsunami also sign posting warning of the occurrance of it happening again, the renovation has had some effect as places look as though the tsunami never happened there.

Of course being Thailand some money went on contracts, rake offs and bribery aka tea money but this is tempered by some improvement at ground level, whether it is enough is yet to be seen on the rare event of it happening again.

To take money intended for charitable help is beyond comprehension and there are some heartless bastards out there in high positions who profit from others help. They know who they are and they dont care much especially for foreigners who rock their boat so to speak.

Speak to most Thais and they will know someone who was affected or killed in the tragedy of 2004, Im just glad that people did help worldwide and I hope that the people who stole and scammed the money know they have blood on their hands. Bad karma indeed.

Mikey. I didnt know that and I am involved on that front, who were the NGO's.? please

Mikey - I was a volunteer and was involved in a couple of projects. I'd also like to know any details you have.

The village at Laem Pom, Phang Nga was completely rebuilt using donations and volunteer workers.

sammie simon:

good on you for helping, but one only needs to google the info to find lots of stats

http://whatismatt.com/thailand-tsunami-funds-corruption/

Is there any reason that some people would prevent access down a side street that is not a private driveway for months on end ? Soi 107 /30 or 31 off Thanon Chaeron Rat Yanawa Bangkok Thailand is off the first left coming from Rama 3 to Charoen Rat Road. It seems someone is either hiding there or worried about a visit. Maybe some of the back ground voice people are based in a building down this sreet or some lady is being kept there against her will quite illegally and by some people involved with Turkey's Heroin Mafia the TY.CIA ? I think some wives of ex-pats were forced to stay with members of the Indian/Turkish CIA men and may be some children as well that have officially been abducted/kidnapped and held under duress for ransome ? Maybe some children from Europe whose mother has been killed by the Indian Turkish TY.CIA ? 5th May 2009 I had a thought there is a party down there this afternoon for prominent people pehaps like say some Royal Thai Army or Royal Thai Air Force or Royal Thai Navy senior officers who want to meet some of the Indian sector of the TY.CIA and hear about their procedures concerning things like avoiding the abuse of children and women?

http://www.crin.org/docs/resources/treaties/uncrc.asp

http://www.crin.org/organisations/vieworg.asp?id=264

Yes Richard, the Tsunami brought out the true colours. We were having breakfast on the sea front in hour hotel outside when it came, and I wont bore you with the well known facts, after the horror and destruction, we (my husband and children) were marooned in our hotel with no water or electricity, the evening was dead, not once bit of noise. I remember saying to my family at about 1am watch the devils coming, they will be along soon to pillage. Sure within half the hour gunned up, we listened as they shot open all the rooms looking for goods and money, stealing everything, absolutely everything. We shoved our wardrobe against the door and watched the balconies because they could hop over, we made intentional noises so that they knew we were in there and hopefully leave us alone (which they did) . We had a Norwegian and a German guy with us who were too petrified to be left alone. We had our passports and valuables in the hotel safety boxes behind reception (never again!) and we knew these would be targeted when the emergency crews had left, so my sons broke into the safes, with the locals looking on! (the look of absolute despise on their faces towards us). I took a huge bag down with me and used palm trees to interleave each persons passports and money. We managed to repatriate many peoples passports and money and those we couldnt we gave back to the various embassies, but you could see the vultures circling. On the beaches people taking jewellery off the deceased! yes we have another culture. There were also some wonderful happenings where the local people were so very kind, but we westeners have another thinking (most!) .... Yes Richard , the Tsuanmi was a natural happening, but what happened in the after math certainly wasnt!

Is this a scam issue? I am not sure if I can post on this. I only know, and you can find it on internet that several western governments asked a specification of the Thai government about what happened to the donations. There seems to be at least a little bit of distrust

Yes the Tusanmi funding certainly can be classified under "Scams". Yes a joint letter from around 7/8 countries were sent to Thailand asking for details vis a vis what happened to the Tsunami funds! I was amazed, never have I seen such a public letter written to the powers that be in Thailand from foreign governments. Many locals (and I can only speak for Phuket) lost their livelihoods and never recovered, and they certainly didnt see a bean from any funding either. I have european friends who collectively brought fishing boats for families whose boats had perished and this for my thinking is a better way of one to one donations. Never again would I donate to an organisation, and that includes the western world (where the hierarchy travel first class and eat at 5* restaurants). I find it healthier to support a family where I can see where the money going and also to take a personal interest in the development of that family according to their own ways and customs.

I saw some guy, walking around Bangkok, dresses in some kind of Scout Uniform, collecting donations for the Tsunami.
Probably the same guy that dresses up as a Monk and hits on tourists. Disgusting.
Anybody diverting donations to the poor should have their skull caved in.

Phew! Sammie, that is news to me, I cannot remember hearing/reading about the looting after the Tsunami. But to be honest, its not just a Thai thing, looters are to be found in most countries.
I'm glad you came out of it okay.

Namia, yes agreed! but when it happens in front of your face, the memories are extremely unpleasant and distasteful. In Lockerbie (Scotland) a few people were caught looting and imprisoned for 10 years after the plane bombing, on Koh Sumui after a plane crash looting of bodies is the norm. I guess different cultures but never the less I still get shocked lol. Thanks Namia. Scotty agreed, unfortunately those that scam make it so much worse for the impoverished and destitute.

Namia

" I cannot remember hearing/reading about the looting after the Tsunami.

nothing in the news about the looting by the yellow shirts when they occupied the airport either

thai system is, if you dont mention it, it did not happen.

There apears no end to some of the scams, this poor diver was drugged and robbed and left living in a rehabilitation home after his trip to Koh Tao seehttp://www.cdnn.info/news/travel/t080428.html, too many deaths are coincidentally happening which is most worrying, now the unexplained deaths of tourists (un drugs related) on Koh Phi Phi. How tragic for the victims and relatives.

*appears sorry typo

Billions was donated from countrys like america australia where has it all gone cant seem to see much

well a good proportion went to a policeman who reaped millions! questions have been asked by 7 western governments, to date no answer, disgrace

I also saw 2 month ago a Thai women in a "scout-look-alike" uniform asking for donations for the "orphans of the Tsunami" in Sukhumvit.
She target ONLY foreigners (preferably the ones who are eating in open air restaurants) and never ever ask from Thai people, i followed her for maybe 20mn and saw her taking quite a lot of money...
If you refuse to give money to her she just stand there looking at you like you are a piece of shit...