Bangkok--Dec 30--Spark Communications
The management & staff at Le M?ridien Hotels & Resorts extends their condolences to all those throughout the coastal areas of South East Asia, extending to countries across the Indian Ocean who have lost family and friends following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on 26 December 2004.
The Le M?ridien Phuket Beach Resort and Le M?ridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort are the only two Le M?ridien properties in Thailand to be substantially affected by this tragedy. We are arranging to provide assistance to our staff members and their families living in the affected coastal areas around Phuket and Khao Lak. A relief fund for staff and their families affected by this tragedy has been established from London. Our hotel teams on site are continuously working with local authorities and tour operators to arrange for guests to return to their homes as quickly as possible.
We are pleased to report that all guests at Le M?ridien Phuket Beach Resort were evacuated to safe areas and have all been accounted for. Damage has been sustained to the swimming pools and other recreational areas externally, and to a limited extend the restaurants and other public areas on the ground floor. The lower ground floor operational areas remain under water, preventing the restoration of key services to the hotel. The General Manager, Philippe Seigle and his team are working to ensure the safe and rapid restoration of the property.
Communications with Le M?ridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort, Thailand is improving and we can confirm that all guests have been evacuated to alternative hotels in Phuket or transferred to hotels in Bangkok. The hotel will remain closed until damage assessments and repairs have been completed.
It is with our deepest regret to report that 2 guests are still missing and 7 guests and 12 staff succumbed to the tidal wave.
The General Manager of the hotel, Jean-Louis Ripoche remains at the hotel, working with local authorities to re-establish communications and assist guests and staff affected in this catastrophe.
TSUNAMI WAVES IN SOUTH EAST ASIA —
LE M?RIDIEN OFFICIAL STATEMENT /2
Le Royal M?ridien Phuket Yacht Club sustained no damage to the property and all guests are accounted for. The hotel is fully operational.
Our other hotels in locations affected across the region reported no injuries or damage, namely Le Royal M?ridien Baan Taling Ngam, Koh Samui, Le M?ridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort, Bali, Le M?ridien Fisherman’s Cove, Seychelles and Le M?ridien Ile Maurice, Mauritius. Le M?ridien properties in India have not been affected.
Up-to-date information on the status of our hotels will continue to be posted on www.lemeridien.com.
Our worldwide call centres and sales teams are in the process of advising customers of the status regarding hotels in the region, to ensure that everything within our control is done to inform, help and advise people as best we can.
Anyone wishing to obtain details of their family and friends can obtain the emergency helpline numbers from Le M?ridien reservations centres. The following numbers issued by Foreign Office as follows:-
UK — 020 7008 0000
Thailand — 00 (66) 7639 6433
Singapore — (65) 6332 0000
France: 00(33) 145 5034 60 (Le Quai d’Orsay Office in Paris)
Germany: 00 (49) 30 5000 1000
Spain: 00 (34) 9137 91627 /28
Italy: 00 (39) 0636911
Russia: 00 (66) 9 699 0919 (Russian Embassy in Thailand)
Information can also be obtained from major tour operators. Guests due to travel to the affected areas should also contact their tour operator or travel agent and NOT the emergency helpline numbers.
For further press information, please contact:
Onanong Pratakphiriya
Spark Communications Co., Ltd.
Tel: 0-2653-2717-9
Fax: 0-2653-2720
Email: [email protected]
Wong Yin Yin
Regional Public Relations Manager - Asia Pacific
Le Mridien Hotels & Resorts
Tel: (65) 6732 9702
Fax: (65) 6738 4915
Email: [email protected]
Notes to Editors
London-based Le M?ridien is a global hotel group with a portfolio of 130 luxury and upscale hotels (34,000 rooms) in 56 countries worldwide. The majority of its properties are located in the world’s top cities and resorts throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. The company also enjoys a strategic alliance with JAL-owned Nikko Hotels, providing loyal guests access to an additional 44 properties around the world. End.