Khaolak map 2004 - Blog

Khao Lak map now for free

The project has been a great success. The map has been downladed about 5.000 times. The printed map has been sold and given away about 1.000 times. It has been handed out to all who attended the Swedish and Norwegian official cermonies in Khao Lak.

Together we made it possible to pay the print (approx 1300 Euro) and a trip I am going to make in April. This means I no longer need to sell the map. The printed map is now free. Just send me a note if you need it.

So... to everybody who helped out with this project, bought the map or gave inspiration and strenght to contiunue the work... a huge thank you!!!

KHAO LAK MAP NEWSLETTER #14

MAP UPDATE
Hi! Its been a tough last month for many of us. But I hope that you all came out of it resonable ok anyway. Last month I published a map update, but forgot to mail you about it. Today I made yet anohter update and did not forget you. :) Here is some of what is new:

- Sabai Sabai Restaurant on Bang Niang Beach added.
- Sabai Bungalows on Bang Niang Beach added.
- Baan Sanetra resort on Khao Lak Beach added.
- Point of Interest the building of family Krull added on the cape.
- Made several design changes.
- Added a few POI.
- Changed Ludda Resort to Ladda Resort
- Corrected some minor errors
- Added mapp key.

I think thats all updates...

GOING TO KHAO LAK IN APRIL
At last I will have the chance to see Khao Lak for the first time! I will stay for a couple of nights in beginning of April. So if anyone wants me to do anything for you when Im there, just drop me a line.

Map update

New map uploaded today.
- Made several small design changes.
- Added a few POI.
- Changed Ludda Resort to Ladda Resort
- Corrected some minor errors

The latest map version is now 051226.
hmm I think thats all...

KHAO LAK MAP NEWSLETTER #13

A major update is published today. Here follows a brief list of what is new:

- Altitude above sea level in 40 meter increments starting at +20 meter.
- Villages added
- Many lakes, mountains and streams is named.
- Two more resorts added. Fair House and Toni's Lodge in Bang Niang.
- Design changes. Inset and colors.
- Corrections of typos and data.

Errata summary

During the months since the first version the map has become better and better, with errors and mistakes being corrected and new data being added. But there always will be things that needs to be changed. And now, when the map is printed in its first edition, the need for a Errata list is evident.

If you have suggestions or if you find errors, dont hesitate to contact me! (Thankg you Alex for the heads up!)

On the map version 051011 (last printed map).
Ban Bang La on is wrongly called Nang Thong Village. (Read more in the post below.)
The Volunteer Center has moved into the entrance to Ban Bang La on.
Tublamu Pier could (or should) be called Thap Lamu.
Pak veep waterfall is normally called Pakweeb Waterfall

General errors
Text overlapping and other problems seems to occur if you use older Adobe Acrobat Reader then version 7.

Bad maps becomes better maps

A major part of the map turned out to be bad prints. I have trashed about 90% of them. :(

It seems the problem was the that the paper. It is a "plastic" paper called polypropylene that is very tough and durable, and this is of course why I choose it. But it turned out to be a very difficult paper to print on.

The print shop promised to make up for the bad print and make two reprints, one in December and one in early spring. This is good, because that means I can make two more printed updates! :) I need to change to another paper... but that is not a bad thing.

Khao Lak Map - Newsletter #12

Hi!

A very short note...

Last week I got the map prints from the print-shop. The map is finally finished and I am so happy. :)

The map can be ordered from the www.khaolakmap.com for 12 euro (about 14,5 USD) using any major credit card or Pay Pal.

Please spread the word to who ever you think might be interested.

Sincerely

/Axel von Matern

(all tough the map is printed, the PDF will be regularly updated)

Ban Bang La on

On the map version 051011 (last printed map) Ban Bang La on is wrongly called Nang Thong Village.

I got this very informative mail from Alex B from Khao Lak. Thank you!

The real name for the village (that is commonly referred to as Khao Lak and you named it on your map as Nang Thong Village)-  as it appears in roman alphabet and Thai letters (not only) on the road sign-  is: "Ban Bang La on" Translated in English: Village (Ban) small (Bang) of La on. All the locals call it this way and I asked some long-term residents again: They all agreed on the name La on. The Nang Thong family, as described in my last mail is a very influential family in La On, but has not named the village (yet ;-) ). So I would suggest you name it Ban Bang La on, or just Ban La on. I quote Lonely-Planet here on the Post-Tsunami update of their travel book "Thailand - Island and Beaches" (available on the www) from 07/2005:

"Back from the beach in Bang La-on (the town commonly referred to as Khao Lak), most of the buildings on the higher parts around Highway 4 survived or sustained bearable damage."

A good book about the tsunami in Khao Lak

This morning I read Charlotta Ölanders very moving and interesting book "...himlen var oskyldigt blå", (in Swedish) about what happened to her and her fiancee during the chaotic days in Khao Lak and Phuket. It paints a very different picture of how the situation was form what was presented to us back home by the media and the Swedish Foreign Affairs. Thanks for a great book, Charlotta!
You can find the book here (in Swedish).

Waiting for the prints

The first version of the map is printed. 1,100 prints are delivered to RSOS. But I have not seen the prints myself yet. I had hoped to get a sample by mail yesterday, but there was nothing in the post. A tad disappointed. But I am sure to get it on Monday.

A cup of coffee and a chat

Today I was having a long chat with a woman who survived the tsunami but lost her mother. Thank you for sharing. It means a lot too me to learn about all the details.

Paper company problems

Today my print shop called and told me that the nice paper I had chosen was out of stock and that it was not to be sold anymore. They suggested a similar paper that was two times more expensive. After talking to the manager I was promised the same price tho. But there is no time to get a sample. So I have to trust its a good paper...

Time to make the print order

At last I am into the final preparations making the big print order. This week I have been working with choosing the right paper for the map and choosing a good envelope. Was talking for a long time with the paper company (whose name is Map strangely enough), and finally found a great polypropylene paper. I made a test folding in the right size and it is so good! Smooth and strong and exactly the right weight. This is going to be good!

It seems harder to find a good envelope. The great envelopes I found in the paper store wasn't for sale. Very odd. 

Pre orders

Up to today we got some 60 maps pre-ordered from private persons in Germany and Sweden. And 1.000 maps ordered from RSOS in Sweden, just like they said they would. 100 maps is pre ordered from the Swedish consulate in Phuket.  This means we got the means to make the print!

I have informed Red Cross, Ersta Diakoni, Swedish Foreign Affairs about the prints and the free PDF map.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

I learned from someone at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs that they might be thinking that the Khao Lak map made from stolen, military data. What can one say...

When I asked them if they needed any maps they answered that this is not a service they do for the public and that they thought that the personnel in Thailand  already had all the maps they needed.

"Axel, Vi som departement ger inte denna service till allmänheten. Det är myndigheterna som gör. Vad beträffar egen personal i området, är jag övertygad om att de redan har alla typer av kartor. ..."

Roland Ripmark

Khao Lak Map Newsletter #11

UPDATED MAP
New PDF published on the web site.
- Added the memorial with the first names (and it came out very nice I think)
- Added Andamanai Beach Resort (just meters south of Grand Diamond). 
Thanks to Mattias H, who actually was in Khao Lak collecting data about the resorts for helping out relatives visiting the sites. He helped clearing the confusion and mix up.
-Added Baracuda Resort (was preparing for the opening December 27 2004)
- Added Reveenas Place (not open yet at December 26 2004)
- Added Baracuda Bar on the beach front
- Added Mattias H on the thanks list.
- More typo corrections and other relatively small errors. (Phuket Airport got a new icon too...)
- Made many small graphic changes.
- Added credit to Heinrich Grosskopf for the research. (you are great!)

NO TRIP TO THAILAND
Yesterday I learned that I am for sure not going to Thailand on Monday. I had hoped and hoped... well... thanks for trying (you know who you are :)

PRINT
The pre-orders are coming in very slow. Please go to www.khaolakmap.com to make a pre-order if you want a nice printed version. We need many more pre-orders to afford the print. I am still trying to persuade the authorities and companies to help out.

Thank you

/Axel von Matern

Khao Lak Map Newsletter #10

Hi everybody!

REAL PRINTS
I just had to tell you about the printed map I got from Norway today. The policeman P.O. Torkildsen is leading a group of relatives to Khao Lak and Phi Phi next Monday and made a print of 200 of our maps for this trip. And I just opened the envelope and had a look on the print he sent me... and it so nice! I am so happy, because it really is something different to see it printed in a real press then on a screen or a ordinary color printer! THANK YOU P.O for this!

ORDER FORM NOW WORKING
Many functions, including the map ordering button, haven't been working... since I don't know... many weeks... But thanks to some of you, I got a warning about this and now it is working. So if you tried to order a map the last couple of days without success... try again please.

Bye!

Yours sincerely

Axel von Matern

Taking pre orders

From today I am taking pre orders for the map. There is a form on the website www.khaolakmap.com

Khao Lak Map Newsletter #9

Hi everybody

MAP UPDATE
Got a long list of, mostly typing errors, from Heinrich G the other day (thank you!). I also got a better English text from someone. So the PDF map is now updated accordingly.

Now is the time to nail as many errors, big and small, as possible. Please help me out, if you have time, to proof read the map and send the corrections.

HIGH QUALITY PRINT
I have decided to try to make large (50 x 70 cm), high quality prints of the map. A price of about 10 euro would finance the printing and further work with the map and the future Khao Lak projects. But first I need about 250 pre-orders to dare make the rather large printing order. So if you would like a printed map, don't hesitate to drop me a line. The print will be made within the next four weeks, if I get enough orders. There will be a ordering form on the website within the next couple of days.

TO HONOUR OUR LOVED ONES
And this one is a sensitive issue... On the last update, I put the name of my deceased friend in the text. I felt very good about this... To honour her in this, rather small, way. It is going to be a even nicer thing when the map is getting printed, I believe.

Now... I am thinking this map is for all of us... and all who lost some one over there. So I would like to give the option to all who want to have their loved ones name on the map. I actually got a mail today from someone asking about this. So what I am thinking is that I will print "In the memory of... "and the first name of the person.

I know this is not for everybody. But it is very important for me. And maybe for some of you.

Sincerely

/Axel von Matern

Khao Lak Map Newsletter #8

Hello again!

PRINTS
I have been working alot with the map the last few days and I really wanted to make it good now because Norway police is making 200 prints on Monday. I am so happy about that!

The map really wants to be printed in a big way. It do need those 50x70 centimeters. This is expensive. It costs like 40 euro for one print in that size. So what I am trying to do is to get Swedish authorities (spelling!) to pay for a thousand prints. This way I could give away the map to whom every want one. If you have any contact with large corporations, government or organizations that would like to help out with the printing.. don't hesitate to contact me!

NEW VERSION
A new version of the PDF map is published. It is another big update I think. Mostly design changes this time. But well worth another download I think.

KHAO LAK MAP BLOG
Also, some of you might be interested in reading my blog from December 2004 up to now. There is a link from the web page, but here is a direct link http://tallasen.blogs.com/khaolakmap/

KOH PHI PHI DON
If anyone of you is interested in Koh Phi Phi Don, I have made a map. Send me a mail, and I'll post a PDF to you. I really need feedback on this one, co use it's so new and I really don't know much about the island... It is kind of rough.

Bye!

Sincerely

/Axel von Matern

Khao Lak Map Newsletter #7

Again a very brief note...

There is a new updated PDF map on the site. It's a major update with many changes. Unfortunately not all is for the better! I found out that some of the new colors was not working out well... I had hoped that I would have time to make another update within a few days. But I had all my computers and stuff stolen last night, so I am not sure when I will be able to do the changes... probably still within the week.

Anyway... please download it and come back to me with your opinion. :)
Here is what's been changed:

- Map size is now much bigger: 50 x 70 cm.

- The font size is also increased, so it should be easier to read in smaller formats too.

- The color scheme is changed. It is much less saturated then the earlier versions. There is some problems with the new colors thou, that will be fixed in the next update tomorrow hopefully.

- Bang Niang beach and Nang Thong village got themselves special inserts, where the scale is much larger, making it easier to read the texts etc.

- Added many points of interests in above areas.

- Added Uli's Bungalow in Nang Thing village

/Axel von Matern

200 maps to be printed

Norwegian athorities are printing 200 copies of the map.

Tried to persuade two major Swedish organisations to make prints too...

A trip to Khao Lak after all?

I have been trying to figure our how to get what I need to complete the next version of the map. I need 2000 - 3000 Euro to purchase recent satellite images and the same amount to buy me a ticket for ten days work on location in Khao Lak.

Now it seems it would be possoble for me to get help to at least get the later. Just 6 days, but that would be better then nothing tho!

Keep yer fingers crossed!

Your support

I just wanted to write something about a very positive side of the map project....

There are so may reasons for me to continue working on the map. Many are very selfish. One of the selfish drives behind it is all the positive feed back I get in my mail. I can not express how much impact those letters have done to me. They prove that this project is important and that so many people really need the map.

Here is some examples of the letters that makes the project meaningfull:

In a way this one is the reason why I work with the map:
"Thank you for your commitment. Xxxx and Xxxx (the names of two deceased women) really would apreciate all the work you have done... K."

And how can one hear a nicer thing then this?
"I became so touched and happy in my hart when I saw what you had done...//.. thak you for being. M."

And this is the main reason:
"Thanks for your map. It have helped alot of people. You have done a realy grate job too make this. It was hard to find maps of Khao lak with al the hotels. H." and "I found your map today and got answeres to my questoins. M."

There is also so many people who is sending me questions and offer me answers!

This is adding up to one thing really... that we all, who are touched by the catastroph in some way... are doing this together to support each other. It seems that so many people are more then willing to reach out for each other. It is indeed a powerfull experience!

A book

This is a great day indeed! Today I and Heinrich agreed on making a project together. More on this when the details is ironed out.

Khao Lak from space

I got some good news from European Space Imaging regarding the price of satellite pictures for the book. Ill tell you more about this later. Thanks!

The exact time...

Today I got a question from a swedish athor, who is writing a book about Khao Lak för Dagens Nyheter Förlag. She wanted to know if I knew what time the tsunami struck the beaches of Khao Lak.

About 25 minutes past 10 local time. And the water was beginning to receed about 10 a clock.

I offered my help in helping out with proof reading for the facts in her book.

Swedish athorites....

It seems a tad silly to go barking at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. I mean everybody does. Still, I cant stop wondering whats going on there.

Everybody who is working with the tsunami catastroph, knows that there is a need for a good map over Khao Lak, but when I asked them if they would like to make a link from their website to the map, they show nill interest.

They take their time to answer one of my three mails tho.. thats nice... :P

Nailing the positions

Just wanted to make a short but thankefull note on one great woman, who have not given me a chance to be sloppy with data on a couple of resorts. She didnt give in untill she had convinced me on errors and omited resorts. Thanks alot for your patience, Marianne!

Contacting the athorites

Today I sent a mail to The Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm and in Thailand and the Police in Sweden, asking them to link to the map.

Khao Lak Map - Newsletter #6/2005

A SMALL AND BIG UPDATE
Today the map is done! That is huge for me! Five months of work is over with. The first milestone is completed. The map is done. :) During my vacation I got feedback on a few "small" things in the map that now is corrected.

I am sure that there still is errors in it, and that there are places to add and change. But there is no unknown resorts anymore. No big question marks.

This is the update:
Thanks Heinrich, Marianne and Jan at Fritidsresor for the following updates:
- Arcadia Resort, is what used to be called unknown 7 on the map.
- Grand Diamond Resort and Spa replaces what was wrongly described as "Andamania".
- Palm Andaman Beach Resort area is corrected.

Remember that today it is only the PDF that is updated. I will come back to you when I get time to do the web map and satellite pictures too.

The grave

Today I went to the cemetary where my beloved friend ash is spread out. I brought a card with a personal message for her, but the church was closed and there where no where to put it. For a long time I sat on a simple, wooden bench in the grove on the hill and the sun was shining through a hole in the clouds. It was warm an brigth and I had a long talk with her on that bench.

Map is done finally!

Today the map is done. The last resort was identified with the kind help of Fritidsresor, Swedish travel agency. Done but not done.. becouse I do want to make the map better. There is a lot of things to do. And I still need to learn how to do the map in a proper graphical way. Also I am sure there is mistakes that needs to be corrected and data that is missing. Well... time will tell...

A disc of data

A coupe of days ago I got a disc with very useful data on both Khao Lak and Phi Phi Don. It will be of very good use when making the maps. I just need to find out a way to open the files!

Khao Lak Map - Newsletter #5/2005

Hi!

Today I updated the PDF-map with the data I got from SRV and from the meeting with Norsk Politi in Oslo. So it is much safer then the last edition. There is many adjustmets and added resorts. The map is also reworked for better printing with larger fonts and upright (portrait) alignment.

The web maps is taking longer to make but I will start working on them thomorrow.

Have a great day!

Sincerely

/Axel von Matern

To Oslo

Yesterday I went to Oslo to meet with the Norway police.

NEWSLETTER #3/2005 - July 9 2005

Hi!

Just a very brief note. Today I got the map from Svenska Räddningsverket (Swedish Rescue Services Agency) that I have been trying so hard and for so long to get. It is the latest (and probably the final) update on the surveys that the nordic authorities has done to map the resorts in Khao Lak.

This is very important, because now our map will be much more reliable. The data in their map is done very carefully researched through interviews and GPS measuring on location.

I started comparing our map with theirs and I could find some differences. And some of them is confirmed errors in my map. As for now I can say that the location of GRAND DIAMOND, ANDAMANIA BEACH and WHITE KAPS is not correct on my map.

I am truly sorry about this and I will try to get the time to compare ALL resorts and publish an update of the map on monday.

Sincerely

/Axel von Matern

The SRSA is giving in at last

Not less the four people on a conference call from SRSA - Swedish Rescue Services Agency today. Two lawyers and a boss and the map guy... They asked me what I where going to use the data for. And they gave me a new reason why I could not have the data. "The material is filled with sensitive data."

I could not believe my ears.

Well, it turned out that I was going to get the data anyway. And two hours later I got the maps on the mail.

Something is rotten in the SRSA

...well it did not help that I have a mission from the authorities... SRSA - Swedish Rescue Services Agency, just dont want to share the data. Now it is a question about money. "It is so hard to retrieve the data... the cumputers is in the cellar... we dont work with the Khao Lak project anymore..."

I made a lot of phone calls today. I just cant accept that they dont want to help out.

NewSLETTER #3/2005 - July 3 2005

Hi everybody! Here comes Newsletter number 3.

NEW MAP VERSION
First off, there is many new resorts added to the map, thanks to a few of the Newsletter members. Some to those resorts are highly uncertain, so I need you to check them to see if you know some of them obviously are wrong.

Resorts added
Tukta Bungalow (small resort at Nang Thong Beach)
Ruan Thai Resthouse (small resort at Nang Thong Beach)
Amanusa ( (small, resort at Bang Niang Beach not yet open in dec 26 2004)
Sunset Bar (small resort at Bang Niang Beach)
Orchid Beach Resort (small resort at Bang Niang Beach, name is very uncertain)
Amandalay Resort and Spa (Bang Niang Beach)
Andamania Beach Resort (Khuk Kak Beach)
Grand Diamond Resort and Spa (Khuk Kak Beach)
Pakarang Beach Cottage (Pakarang)
Palm Galleria Resort (Pakarang)
Pakarang Bungalow (Pakarang)
White Keps Resort (Pakarang)
The Best Coffe House and Bar (near Khao Lak beach)

POIs added
Meteorological Center (oposite road to Theptaro Lagoon Resort)
Road to Chong Fa Waterfall

Edited
Travellers Inn is moved a little bit south along the road to the correct location.
Several changes in on Bang Niang Beach resort areas

SVENSKA RÄDDNINGSVERKET (Swedish Rescue Services Agency)
I will spare you of the loooooong story on this one... Maybe I write a book. ;) The Svenska Räddningsverket have been working on collecting data from Khao Lak (resort positions, pictures etc) the whole winter and spring. And during the same time I have been trying to get permission to look at this data. But they never wanted me to see it. Now the RSOS (Swedish authority dealing with the tsunami) is contracting me to get this data! Thanks!

This means that hopefully the map will be much more reliable in a near future, when I can compare to their maps.

KRABI AND PHI PHI
The above cooperation with RSOS also means that I will star working on a map over Phi Phi and Krabi. So if anyone got any input on this... you are very welcome!

LIST OF SOURCES
Me and Heinrich Grosskopf is compiling a list of sources that will prove every resort identity and location. This list will be public when ever it is good enough for the public eyes. If anyone wants to help out with this I would be more then thankfull.

Sincerely

Axel von Matérn

Working for the Swedish authorities

A contract was signed today. I am now officially helping RSOS with a report on the search effort in Khao Lak. This will make it much easier to obtain the data from SRV. Now they must give me the data I ask for becouse I am working for the athorities! At last I will have the oppertunity to have a look at the SRV maps!

NEWSLETTER #2/2005 - June 28 2005

Hi everybody!

NEW PDF MAP UPDATE
There is a new map update ready for download. It contains many changes.
* One big error was found by Heinrich, the Similana Resort on the Pakweeb beach is moved further south a little bit, to just north of the Sarojin. That also means there is a new Unknown area on the map. So if anyone got a clue on what that could be.
* The PDF map now has a GPS grid. I got it from the Norwegian police. (Thanks!)
* From the same source, I also got a interesting information on how far up the land the water reached. Its marked on the map as a dotted line (PDF map only).
* As the PDF map has a new grid, it means the coordinates of the hotels are updated and corrected accordingly. It also means that the scale was adjusted a little.
* A few small errors was corrected on the PDF map. Some roads where missing etc.
* The PDF map now has a legend.
* The credits are updated.

ERRORS
The Norwegian police source says there is some differences between this map and the data that Norwegian and Swedish authorities has obtained. I am looking into this and are working on a public list of my sources and hope that the authorities will share their sources too.

SHARE THE WEBSITE
If you know a forum where you think there is people that would be interested in the map... feel free to make a link to here.

WHATS ELSE
Many people has contacted me and being very glad to have found this map. The positive feedback means a lot to me. I assure you! I also has ongoing dialogue with some of you on the position of several resorts. Keep it up! I need all help I can get!

I KNOW I had more on my mind... but but... I will probably wake up tonight, slapping my forehead when I remember it!

Sincerely
Axel von Matern

Talking to my friend

It is strange. One never thought one would come to this. You see, I am talking to my dead friend, often when riding my Vespa back from work. And even more strange... I am comforted from those chats. She tells me to be cool. :)

Similana error

Today I got one of all those helpfull mails from Heinrich. He is keeping me updated on all errors and new resors on the map. This time I got the heads up on the wrong location of Similana Resort on Pakeeb Beach in the northern parts. I want to take this oppertunity to thank you for all your help! This map would have been nothing without you!

Thanks for all the help, Heinrich!

The police called today

Today I police man from Norway called. He asked me why I was doing the map, and when I told he that it was becouse there is no map, he just said "Thats the right thing to do."

After all this time, trying to get help from Swedish athorities. I get a call from the athorities in Norway!

We agree on helping each other. Exactely what this means, I dont have a clue! But I am sure its a good thing and we shall see where this can lead.

NEWSLETTER #1/2005 - June 15

Hi everybody!

This is the first newsletter from me. It's just a short note on me and the status of the project.

OLD DATA FROM NORWAY AND NO DATA FROM SWEDEN
I have been trying to get the Swedish authority (Räddningsverket) to help me out with the map. But they have not been so helpful. Today a (very nice) man from the police in Norway called and gave me alot of information about the Khao Lak area. Unfortunately it was data from late april and there was a lot of missing resorts and a lot of errors.

NEW PDF-MAP VERSION
Two days ago I posted a new PDF map. It got small fixes:
- added the forgotten scale and north pointer
- corrected the texts
- typographic changes

NEW ENLARGED SATELLITE MAPS
- the enlarged satellite view now covers all beaches.

---------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCING MYSELF
I want to tell you a little about myself, just so you know. My name is Axel von Matern. I am 39 years and live in Stockholm, Sweden. I am married and got two children (got a boy about a month ago. I am working with graphic design and have my own one man company in Stockholm City.

Sometimes I can get through a bit rough in mail. Please bare with me. And mail me if you think I am rude or something! It is very hard things we are dealing with here and I need you to be frank with me so I can correct any mistakes.

ABOUT THE LIST
I will write mostly in english, even tho I am not so good at it. The Khao Lak list started a few days ago and has 13 members today. And we are from Sweden, Germany, Denmark, France, Thailand and unknown country. Most of us lost some loved one in Khao Lak. A family member or a friend... In my case it was a woman I once lived with and until this day still love.

PRIVACY AND MONEY
As this is a project where pictures and texts is ment to be published in some way or another everybody should be very clear about when you share something that is ment to be private.

This project is NOT ment to make any money. If there is a situation where money gets involved, you will all get the information and say about it.

Sincerely

Axel von Matérn
TWEED

SRV keps their map secret

Today I got a mail from Swedish Rescue Services Agency, where they stated that:

"we can not share the data we got. All data is collected during a crisis and we first need to check copy right matters before we can share...."

I called him. And I told him that I only was interested in what resort they had identified and their location. How can there be a copyright on the location of certain buildings? And could he not understand that there was still a crisis situation for many people? But he could not help me. I asked for a list of coordinats, and he promised to send that to me asap.

I called his boss who where in Geneva in business. When insisting on the importance of getting a correct map before the summer vacation, when many people possibly would travel to Khao Lak, he said that that was not his problem. But he promised to see what he could do.

Someone tells me that SRV got copyright problems of their own. That the map software licence is not payed for. That could be the answer on why they dont want to help me out on this simple matter?

Mai's Quiet Zone in Swedish television

Tonight SVT aired the last of two short reports on Mai's Quiet Zone. Douglas is interviewed and there is video footage of the gardens and an interview with Mai. Here is a translated transcript:

Radarheinrich

A couple of days ago I got a letter form a german guy who is doing a research on Khao Lak! Very much like I am doing. We agreed on helping each other as much as possible and I have allready found many errors on my map and made many addtions too. But I also could confirm that much of the data that I have collected is correct.

I am sure this is the beginning of a wonderfull friendship! :)

My son is born

I got a son this morning.