USTBC is currently working with a Thai volunteer group at the grassroots level to assist with the Tsunami Reconstruction.

USTBC mission  for the Tsunami Reconstruction  is to seek reconstruction project(s) with the following characteristics:

• The project was not being funded by a large international NGO,
• The need for funds or additional funds were evident and truly apparent,
• Ross could interview the individual(s) who would have oversight of how any donated funds would be used and that after my discussions, I was left with a high confidence in their integrity, honesty and abilities,
• That all the funds would be used for the said purpose with ZERO being taken for administration, overhead or any other costs
• Where individual contributions and donations could be specifically attributed to a specific project in its entirety or a discrete part of a project.
• Where possible, the project would have a multiplying effect in providing assistance to many beneficiaries.

Ross Tyler, Executive  Director, was in Phuket and the surrounding  areas affected by the tsunami devastation  earlier in March 2005. USTBC has donated money received to this project. He reports the following.

Laem Prakarang is a peninsular (shielding Bang Sak and Nam Khem) and with its sweeping coastline… even after the devastation…boasts so much natural beauty. This was one of the hardest hit communities. Everything has been flattened by the 3 thirty-foot waves that invaded up to 3 km inland. The force of the waves robbed the peninsular of significant amount of its land making last years maps out-of-date and the survivors recall their experiences of being lifted to the tops of the tallest palm trees! Needless to say, many of the community’s boats have been left damaged or destroyed.

Two Americans, who lost a loved one to the Tsunami, left a small amount of money to help this community before they returned to the US. They asked another US volunteer (Scott) to help build something meaningful for the Laem Prakarang community. Scott, who is a boat builder in the US, found and secured an ideal piece of land, among the spewed boats to construct a boat repair and building center. The chosen site once had a 1-2 meter wide river which entered the sea but the Tsunami widened and deepened the stream to a 15 plus meter inlet which retains a naturally locked pool of water during low tide, making it perfect for launching of repaired or newly built boats.

The current land owner has officially and legally granted use of this site at no cost for at least the next two years so that a community based boat builder center can be constructed.

The boat center will house necessary tools, and store essential supplies such as wood and other repair materials.

The center will provide undercover areas for up to three boats at any one time. The covered work stations will protect those working on their boats from the heat of the direct sun and shelter from the wet in the rainy season. Electricity service is already installed and will power the tools as well as lighting for working after nightfall. There will be potential to run 24 hours a day, rain or shine, with an expectation to have 10-12 boats repaired or build each month.

The current construction (about 4000 sq. feet of foundation and flooring with wood framing) has used the initial funding of Bht.250, 000 ($6500). The project now needs an estimated Bht.100, 000 ($2600) for roofing, electrical wiring and boat winches as well as another estimated Bht.40, 000 ($1050) to create a launching ramp.

All of the construction work is being conducted on a voluntary basis by local Thais and visiting foreigners who have come from different parts of the world. Scott is on site, all the time, overseeing the work as well as helping with the building himself. He has given our team the technical specifications of the materials he requires and is pleased for us to take on the procurement role and to make payment directly to the materials’ suppliers.

The construction of this boat building center started in early March and promises to be operational by the beginning of April. Scott will remain on-site to manage the center until a suitable local person has been selected and trained to run the operation as a non-profit community center. It is hoped that this center will go a long way to repair or replace the estimated 200 boats needed for this peninsular and its neighboring communities.

Ross Tyler

Executive Director

US-Thailand Business Council