Below are photos of Reid Ridgway, and American Ex-Pat living in Chalong Bay, Phuket. He was kind enough to meet with Christine and I one early morning to discuss his relief efforts and give us some insight into the local disposition regarding foreigners arriving to help. Reid is sincere and compassionate in his personal effort to raise funds to help rebuild the livelihoods of the local Thais.
You can visit his personal website here and see his efforts in action. Many of the video capture images on this webpage were taken by Reid in the days immediately following the tsunami. There are many more photos to see on Reid's website that will show both the devastation and the ongoing support to rebuild. It is unbelievable how much progress has been made to put this region back into production. If you are planning a vacation, Phuket is open for business. Don't let the media tell you differently. (I recommend the Phuket Gazette for accurate news) I was there and saw it first hand. We stayed at the Blue Ocean Resort just three blocks from the beach and all was in full swing. The locals have done a remarkable job in cleaning up the remnants of the tsunami.
Reid: Christine and I were blessed to have met you and your partner, Cougar. You inspired us. Thank you for inviting us into your home to share your experience and the noble efforts to help the citizens of Thailand. Great karma.
WARNING: All content on this website is owned and copyrighted by John B Moretti and Reid Ridgway. Use without permission is a violation of copyright laws of the United States. Please inquire about using images for personal/commercial use.
