Thailand's renowned sand beach Phuket island restored to peace on Tuesday, two days after being struck by the worst tsunami in the country's history.
At Phuket international airport, airlines have been resumed following short-time block on Sunday. Travelers on Monday continued to head for the world-famous resort island even the disaster just ended. Due to the limited airplanes taking off from the island, large number of foreign tourists were stranded at the airport.
At about 5:30 Monday afternoon, a motorcade consist of five white cars rushed into the airport. It was the royal motorcade transporting the body of Princess Ubolratana's son to the airport.
The shocked kingdom awaited with great anxiety the latest news of the son of princess, Bhumi Jensen, who went missing as giant waves hit Phuket island Sunday. Jensen was confirmed dead by the royal family on Monday.
On the market of Batong beach, the most-hardest hit spot by the tidal waves, shattered houses and shops could still be seen. Damaged cars were disbanded on the roadside and some foreign tourists sat idly in front of the dilapidated bars. Candles were lit in most of the shops on the street closest to the beach. Electricity was available on other streets, where shops and convenience stores have resumed businesses.
At Vachira Phuket hospital, the biggest government-run hospital across the island, volunteers who helped with the rescue work said that till Monday evening, more than 700 patients injured in the tsunami had been admitted to the hospital. Altogether seven hospitals in Phuket have been providing medical treatment to injured tourists and locals, they said.
Beds were full in most of the wards inside the hospital. The majority of patients were from Europe or the United States.
"My wife was swimming in Bang Ya beach Sunday morning, suddenly waves as tall as a coconut tree came," said Seel Horst, a German tourist. Thai rescue team helped us get onto the ambulance, and they were pretty nice, Horst added. His wife was lying in bed getting transfusion.
The front gate of the hospital was crowded with people who were either looking for their beloved ones or preparing to receive newly-discovered victims from the tsunami.
Also in the hospital, two Chinese patients, who got injured in Phi-Phi island were receiving medical treatment.
"We were really lucky," said Huang Qiyong when talking of the disaster. The two, together with 25 other Chinese tourists from China's Hangzhou City, just arrived at the Phi-Phi island shortly before the tidal waves struck. "In less than three seconds, the seawater already submerged us, and it was really horrible," added Huang.
Survived in the catastrophe, the pair said they wished all people could be safe.
In Phuket's Hilton hotel, tourists were reading or sun-bathing in the warm sunlight Tuesday. Maybe this is what life should be.