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Why specific blood groups are needed urgently
Dr. Iain Corness
Every time there is a disaster involving human life, a
call goes out for donations to assist the injured. In Thailand, this usually
means a call for Rhesus Negative blood group types.
Why is this so? Surely the blood collection agencies
could just stock up in this type of blood?
Unfortunately the answer is no. In fact it is impossible
for Thai blood stocks to have enough Rhesus Negative blood for any disaster,
major or minor.
The reason is simple. Blood groups, which are generally
classified by the ABO system (so we are all either A, B, O or AB) differ in
their distribution in the world. There are many reasons for this, including
susceptibility to disease of various blood groups, population drifts,
inter-marriage and others; however the end result at this time shows that
simplistically the Asian population has a different distribution of ABO
groups to the Caucasian population, for example, Blood group B is far more
predominant in the East than in the West.
When you look at one of the other blood group typing
systems, the Rhesus grouping into Positive or Negative, even greater
disparities become apparent. The Asian population has very little Rhesus
Negative, compared to the Caucasians. (For interest, 50 percent of Basques
are Rhesus Negative, one of the highest percentages in the world.)
Consequently, when there is a need for blood for an
injured Caucasian in an Asian country, the chances of there being sufficient
blood stocks are virtually nil.
Taken to disaster proportions, when the injured from the
tsunamis was around 30 percent visiting Caucasians, then you can understand
the urgent need for Rhesus Negative donations. A need that cannot be met by
the local Asian population.
If you are a resident in Thailand, please have your blood
grouped and if you are Rhesus Negative, go on a register at the local Red
Cross, or even the nearest large hospital, so that you can be called upon in
emergencies. You really can save a life by doing this. A life that cannot be
saved by our Asian hosts in this country, even though I witnessed them
coming in to the blood donation centers in large numbers, hoping that they
could help.
This time, the ball is in your court. Or rather, the
Rhesus Negative blood is in your veins.
A time of need
First, for all of you here in Pattaya:
There is an urgent need NOW for blood down south, because
of the recent tragedy. If you have “Rh Negative” blood, of any group
(‘A’, ‘B’, ‘AB’, ‘O’, etc.) please help.
A bus from the Red Cross Hospital in Sriracha is in
Pattaya, with nurses to do the collections. They are parked on Pattaya 2nd
Road very near the Grand Sole Hotel and are working in the small clinic
located directly behind where the bus is parked. They will be here again
Wed. 29/12 and Thurs. 30/12 from 9 am thru 8 pm. If you are unable to go
during these times, you may then go to Somdej Red Cross Hospital in Sriracha
038 322 157.
As I only know a few of the multitude of ‘farangs’
living here, please help by ‘networking’ and sending this message on, or
phoning to others.
Please, do your best to help, as this is an urgent &
necessary request to help the seriously injured people down south. You just
may help save a life.
Also, if you have any clean, usable used clothing,
towels, blankets, etc. you can deposit at a collection point in front of
Tesco/Lotus (North Rd. branch), opposite city hall. I’m told that the city
officials will have everything flown down South ASAP.
Now, for everyone else NOT here in Pattaya:
Would you please go to your local Red Cross Blood Bank
and make a donation, pledging it to/for the “Earthquake/Tsunami
Disaster” in the Bay of Bengal? What should happen is that any required
blood that we cannot accumulate here (which the hospitals then have to
purchase & charge the patient), will be credited/replaced by the
‘outside donors’. In that my blood type is one of the more unusual ones
(in this part of the world anyway), I have personally donated for emergency
cases not right here in Pattaya - so I think this can work. Could you at
least take the time to investigate this possibility? There is such an
enormous need.
Many, many thanks to you all,
Sheri Ferguson
Urgent need for blood
Dear all,
There is an urgent need NOW for blood down south, because
of the recent tragedy. If you have “Rh, Negative” blood, of any group
(‘A’, ‘B’, ‘AB’, ‘O’, etc.) please help.
A bus from the Red Cross Hospital in Sriracha is in
Pattaya, with nurses to do the collections. They are parked on Pattaya 2nd
Road very near the Grand Sole Hotel and are working in the small clinic
located directly behind where the bus is parked. They will be here again
Wed. 29/12 and Thurs. 30/12 from 9 am thru 8 pm.
If you are unable to go during these times, you may then
go to Somdej Red Cross Hospital in Sriracha 038 322 157.
I’m sure that my list of contacts may not be complete,
so please help by ‘networking’ and send this message on, or telephone to
others whom I may have missed.
Please, do your best to help, as this is an urgent &
necessary request to help the seriously injured people down south. You just
may help save a life.
Thank you,
Kim Fletcher
Rotarians join the aid efforts
Hi Everybody,
We are making plans for our club to financially assist
deserving cases down south, and there is something you can do personally.
There is an urgent need NOW for blood donations because there is a great
shortage of blood of any type (O, A, B, A/B) with a negative rhesus factor.
If your blood has a negative rhesus factor, then -when in Pattaya - please
go to the Social Security Clinic on Second Road, next to Classic
Tailor/Massic Travel, very close to the ‘Grand Sole Hotel’ and the
Bangkok Bank office (between Central & North Pattaya).
There are 2 requirements: No alcoholic drinks & no
smoking in the past 24 hours! The clinic is collecting blood through
Thursday December 30, and is open until 8:30 p.m. After testing &
preparation in Bangkok the blood goes to government hospitals that most need
it. I do not know about similar actions in other parts of Thailand, but
I’m almost sure it is the same.
PE Chris
Rotary Club Jomtien Pattaya
Skal International sets up relief fund
Dear Friends,
As the enormity of the disaster unfolds in Asia and with
the death toll rising, Skal International has written to all Skal members in
the affected countries to try to ascertain whether there has been any loss
of life or hardship caused by this terrible tragedy to any of our members.
So far we have not been informed of any casualties; however, people are only
coming to terms with the scale of the disaster at this stage.
After consultation with the executive committee and the
International Skal Council, it has been decided to set a fund at the Skๅl
International bank in Torremolinos to receive donations from any Skal
members or others worldwide who might wish to contribute to a disaster fund.
While the various aid agencies are on hand to grant immediate relief, we
have said that we will be in touch with our members in the affected areas to
see how we can help them return to some sense of normality. Those working in
the travel and tourism industry in some of the countries affected will have
some serious challenges to face and in the spirit of amicable and
friendship, which is the corner of our association, we must try to do what
we can to help them.
The details of the bank account are as follows:
Bank: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA)
Address: Plaza Costa del Sol 9, Torremolinos, Spain
Name of Account: Skal International Asian Earthquake
Relief Fund
Account No: 0182/0481/67/0201603416
IBAN Number: ES02 0182 0481 6702 0160 3416
Swift Code: BBVAESMM
Donations can be made in any convertible currency.
Regular updates will be made on the amount collected. Please try to be as
generous as you can, in order to help our fellow Skaleagues to overcome this
terrible disaster.
Yours in Skal
Matanyah
Asia’s Tsunami ... Bravery and Tragedy - The dreadful toll on human life
It was breakfast time on the morning of 28th December
2004 , we had received 30 guests that morning from evacuation flights out of
Phuket ... passing between tables talking to the survivors their stories
were both heartwarming and saddening.
Until this moment, the depth of the tragedy was just a
news report, difficult to understand, listening and digesting yes, but no
comprehension of the emotion and the suffering. But in a moment that all
changed when I met the lady from Sweden and the lady from Belgium. They were
both sitting in my hotel, both sitting at the same table, in my restaurant;
both had lost their husbands in the floods. It struck me like a steam train,
it wasn’t a news story, it was suddenly real and I felt incredible
sadness, and couldn’t speak for a few moments. What do you say?
That morning we had sent clothing and underwear,
toiletries and footwear to their rooms. They had arrived with nothing ...
just the clothes on their back, many in bare feet. Most had cuts and
bruises, we arranged nurses to attend to their wounds. We set up a
communication centre for them to contact loved ones, embassies and airlines
with complimentary drinks and something to eat. Easy things to do, but what
do you say?
The Scottish couple, Alastair and Gill, holidaying in Phi
Phi, he diving at the time when the first wave struck, she in her hotel
room. Separated for more than 28 hours, both thinking the other dead. She on
the rooftop setting up an emergency first aid centre, he at ground level
helping the injured and forming rescue parties. Then safely re-united.
Happiness, relief, alive...
The New Zealand brother who arrived from Phuket, his
sister still in Krabi. She in hospital, he evacuated. Alone, helpless ...
what do you say?
The story of the German guest in Khao Lak, her friends
dead, washed away when the tsunami hit their ground floor rooms, she lucky -
her second floor saved her ... what do you say?
The stories still unfolding, the depth of the tragedy
real, the scars run deep.
Andrew J Wood
General Manager
Chaophya Park Hotel ,Bkk
Pattaya and Gulf of Thailand not hit by tidal waves
To all our concerned readers, family and friends,
Pattaya Publishing Co Ltd. and all our affiliates wish to
extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the people who
lost their lives during the tragic events on December 26. We hope that you
are now safe and in good health.
We have been receiving many emails from concerned people
asking for information about their family and friends in Pattaya and the
surrounding areas. Although we in no way want to trivialize what is turning
out to be one of the worst natural disasters in the recorded history of
mankind, we feel it is important to relay the message that Pattaya and the
Gulf of Siam were not hit by the tidal waves, and that people on the eastern
side of the Thai-Burma-Malaysian isthmus are physically ok and were never in
any danger.
We have also been receiving many emails from people
overseas who have scheduled trips to Pattaya, Samui, Phangan and vacation
spots in the Gulf of Siam. Please know that the resorts and vacation spots
throughout these areas were not ever in any danger, and all are operating as
normal as can be expected, given the tragedy in the Indian Ocean.
A recent press release from the Royal Cliff Beach Resort
here in Pattaya sums up the situation as best as can be expected, “We
would like to assure all those worried for the safety of their relatives and
friends, who are currently on holiday in Pattaya – as well as those who
are scheduled to travel to Thailand – that our resort city did not
experience any ill effects of the earthquake thanks to the city’s
geographical location and the nature of the mountainous terrain that
surrounds the City of Pattaya from several sides.
“We wish to confirm that the people currently staying
in an around the resort city of Pattaya are completely safe and were never
in any danger at any time during or in the aftermath of the Sumatran
earthquake. We also assure that all those arriving to Pattaya and/or to the
Royal Cliff Beach Resort are in no danger. Both the sea and the waves have
been very calm for the last few days and we have seen clear and sunny
skies.”
Thai Government based donation services
To make a financial donation to the emergency relief
effort in Phuketthe current information is the following:
Thai Red Cross
Bank Details:
Name of Account: Thai Red Cross
Bank: Siam Commercial Bank .
Account No.: 045-2-88000-6
Type of Account: savings
Branch: Thai Red Cross
If you would like a receipt for your donation please fax
a copy of the pay-in slip to the Thai Red Cross at fax: +(66) 0 2252 7976
For further details visit: http://www.redcross.or.th
Thai Government Disaster Relief
Name of Account: OPM Disaster Relief
Bank : Saving Bank
Account No.: 00-0025-20-014972-3
Type of Account: Savings
Branch : Government House
If you would like a receipt for your donation please fax
a copy of the pay-in slip to Government House at fax: +(66) 0 2281 4150 or 0
2282 3376.
Visit the Ministry of Public Health’s Narenthorn Center
website:
http://203.157.25.80/
Link provided names of injured and deceased in both in
English and Thai
Login:
Username: User
Password: password
In Thailand call 1669
Department of Disaster Prevention sets up helpline
The
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has set up a 24-hour Thai
and foreign language helpline to provide up-to-date information on the
tsunami tragedy.
The helpline, which can be contacted by phoning
02-2417457-59 or 1784, or on the website www.disaster.go.th
Will give the latest progress reports on the assistance
being provided to the tsunami victims and the search for those still
missing, as well as name lists of the dead and injured. Information will be
available in Thai, English and other foreign languages. The department,
which can be contacted on 02-2417495-6, is also asking for donations of cash
and goods to help the victims.
Pattaya Sport Club to assist Tsunami Appeal
The
Pattaya Sports Club will this year, donate the proceeds of their annual
Charity Classic Golf Tournament to the survivors of the floods in the
Southern Provinces. This event regularly raises in excess of 400,000 baht.
Pattaya Sports Club urges its members to give their
support to this and other fundraising events to benefit survivors of this
tragedy.
PSC will also make its Clubhouse available as a
collection point for clothing bedding and dry foods, these goods can be left
at the clubhouse between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. 7 days a week.
Hotel Information
Some grim, but some positive news concerning the hotels
in the affected southern provinces.
Phuket Hotel Status
Laguna Phuket Operating normally
Amanpuri The flooding destroyed the gym, beach and tour counters.
Amari Coral Beach Closed until further notice
Andaman Seaview Can operate with normal power and water supply,
operating normally
Baan Thai Beach Resort Closed until further notice
Banyan Tree Operating normally, except beach restaurant
Burasari Closed until further notice
Cape Panwa The hotel only has minor damages to the beach and the road in
front of the hotel (barely noticeable.)
Central Karon Village The flooding did not affect the hotel at all. The
hotel operated as normal.
Club Andaman Beach Resort A few rental restaurants in the front of the
hotel are totally demolished. The pool is closed and being repaired at the
moment. The bungalows were partially flooded but people are now moving back
in.
Chedi The swimming pool is damaged along with all the beach front
bungalows and the beach restaurant.
Duangjitt Resort The big swimming pool is closed along with some rooms
on the first floor.
Dusit Laguna All the rooms on the first floor, the swimming pool and two
of restaurant (Italian/ Seafood) took a direct hit. The activities areas are
gone and all the room on the 1st floor are closed. The everything else the
hotel is operating as usual.
Evason Phuket The pier was destroyed and the beach is ruined but the
flood did not affect the hotel at all.
Felix Karon The flooding did not affect the hotel at all.
Hilton Phuket Arcadia The “Zen” Japanese restaurant is closed
because of the damages as well as the staff parking lot. However, the flood
did not affect the hotel at all since it is in the same shape as it was
before the flood.
Holiday Inn Closed, can not accommodate any guests until Feb 28th
Horizon Beach Resort Closed until further notice
Impiana 100% damage, closed until further notice
JW Marriott No structural damage or fatalities, but swimming pool, pool
bar and beachfront restaurant temporarily closed until Dec 31st
Karon Beach Resort Closed until further notice
Kata Beach Resort Partially damaged (swimming pool, beachfront area,
some seaview rooms)
Katathani Bhuri Operating normally
Katathani Thani Damage on ground floor rooms, garden and swimming pool
area. Guests occupying ground floor rooms are offered to move to Katathani
Bhuri
Laguna Beach Resort The 1st Floor of the hotel is damaged (swimming
pool, rooms, etc.) They have, however, moved their clients to the south wing
or to 2nd – 4th Floor.
Laguna Phuket Operating normally
Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort No water and power supply
Marina Phuket Operating normally except “On the rock” restaurant
Merlin Beach Resort Closed until further notice
Novotel Coralia Operating normally
Orchidacea OK (located on higher level)
Patong Beach Hotel Closed until further notice
Patong Lodge Hotel Operating normally
Patong Merlin All bookings cancelled until further notice
Peach Hill Hotel & Resort Operating normally
Pearl Village Moderately affected, will be back in operation within 3
days.
Phuket Merlin Is safe, but cannot accommodate any additional bookings
Phuket Orchid The flooding did not affect the hotel at all. Normal
operated.
Royal Paradise Operating normally except the road at the front of the
hotel is damaged.
Sabana The flooding came up to the parking lot and destroyed the office.
The rest is still in place.
Seaview Patong 100% damage, closed for at least 7 months
Sheraton Grande Laguna The only damage is on the beach and the
beachfront restaurant.
Southsea Karon Beach OK
Thavorn Beach Village & Spa The bungalows are all damaged. Their two
restaurants, Marisa and Old Siam, are wrecked. They are serving 3 meals at
the lobby village club and their clients are staying in the Ocean View
Villas.
Trisara Minor damage on beach pool and a few beachside sundeck
lounges. Otherswise operating normally.
Twinpalms No damage, no fatalities. Operating normally
Phang Nga Hotel Status
Anantara Royal Coco Palm Totally destroyed
Khao Lak Orchid Beach Resort Closed until further notice
Khao Lak Sunset Closed until further notice
Mukdara Closed until further notice
Paradise Koh Yao OK, no damage and no fatalities
Southsea Pakarang Closed until further notice
Krabi Hotel Status
Andaman Holiday Operating normally, except Beach pool, beach bar and
“on the rock” restaurant. Two other pools are open and one restaurant is
still operating.
Ao Nang Villa Operating normally
Krabi Resort Operating normally
Krabi Thai village Operating normally
Phranang Inn Only “Phranang Kitchen” is temporarily closed until
further notice. Otherwise operating normally
Rayavadee Closed until further notice
Sheraton Krabi Operating normally
Phi Phi Hotel Status
Bayview No water and power supply due to damaged generators and the
beachfront restaurant is closed at the moment
Holiday Inn Phi Phi Only minor damages, but the hotel suffers lack of
food and drinking water
Phi Phi Charlie Closed until further notice
Phi Phi Erawan Palm Still operating with beach side damage. A final
decision about closing the hotel will be made.
Phi Phi Island Cabana Closed until further notice because of complete
lack of water and power supplies.
Phi Phi Island Village Aircondition at the beachfront villas broken.
Some guests have moved to KBV or HKT, most guests at hillside villas have
decided to stay.
Phi Phi Natural The resort got the minor damaged. However, the rubbish
was stuck on their beach.
Phi Phi Princess Closed until further notice
Phi Phi Tonsai Closed until further notice because of complete lack of
water and power supplies.
Lanta Hotel Status
Pimalai Resort & Spa Operating normally except 7 beach villas and
“Rak Talay Restaurant”
Royal Lanta Slight damage in the kitchen area and the pool. Other then
this operating normally.
Southern Lanta Damaged in beach area and beach bar. The accommodation is
normally operating.
Twin Bay Resort Closed, no cancellation charges and full refund of all
deposits.
Twin Lotus 100% damaged, closed for the remaining season.
List of helpful sites:
Those concerned friends or relatives known to have been
in southern Thailand on the day of the disaster are welcome to post a
message, and, if possible, a photograph of the person who may have been
endangered. They can do this at
http://www.phuketgazette.net/classifieds/placead.asp
All missing-persons messages will be published widely and
without charge. They will be indexed to the Gazette Online home page and be
copied by email to as many local area (Phuket, Phang-nga and Krabi)
hospitals as possible.
Meanwhile, a list of emergency embassy and consular
representatives currently in Phuket, along with their phone numbers, can be
found at http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp
Other important websites information and contact points
on the situation in Thailand.
http://www.phuketitcity.com/ (for missing persons)
http://www.mfa.go.th/tsunami/index_en.php (for general developments in
Thailand)
http://www.sawadee.com/tsunami/hotels.htm (for status of hotels in South
Thailand)
www.PATA.org (for regional updates and developments)
Helpful Links
http://www.disaster.go.th/
The following website has every Southern hotels latest
status:
http://www.sawadee.com/tsunami/hotels.htm
www.hotelthailand.com
The Tourist Police of Phuket and Krabi are being assisted
by the regular police force to set up a tourist police call centre that can
be reached at 1155.
24-Hour Hotline & Call Centre
To enable family members and friends to call toll-free
from overseas, TAT has set up an international hot line number +66 21672
TAT Assistance in Locating Family Members
TAT has set up Tourist Information Centres to help
visitors and family members establish contact with relatives and friends. To
report missing family members or friends, please e-mail: [email protected]
Provides constant updates reports about the disaster,
offering links to news reports, pictures from Thai television and other
blogs, as well as photos found on the Internet. Visit: www.2bangkok.com
Tsunami Help: http://tsunamihelp.blogspot.com
BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking(underscore)point/4130565.stm
Red Cross: http://www.icrc.org/home.nsf/home/webfamilylinks(poundsign)a9
Phuket Disaster Message Board:
http://www.p-h-u-k-e-t.com/forum
In the USA:
To support AmeriCares relief efforts in Southeast Asia,
log onto www.americares.org or call 1-800-486-HELP (4357)
To support Save the Children’s emergency response efforts, contributions
should be made to: Save the Children, Asia Earthquake/Tidal Wave Relief
Fund, 54 Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880, or call 800-728-3843
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