Sofitel Magic Lagoon Khao Lak Wrecked

Only weeks after completing a multi million dollar refurbishment and upgrade, the Sofitel Magic Lagoon in Khao Lak, near Phuket, has been wrecked. Even in November the hotel was clambering to finish work to its pool areas and beach side restaurants in time for the peak holiday season that takes place over Christmas and the New Year. Today 70% of the hotel  has been destroyed with the water reaching up to the top of the second floor rooms.

One of the largest hotels in Khao Lak, the Sofitel was very popular with tourists from around the world but especially, the French, Germans and travellers from Australia. When the Tsunami struck, the hotel was almost full, with many people sunning themselves on the shoreline or enjoying breakfast in the newly renovated beach front restaurant.

A spokesperson for Accor Asia Pacific said at the time the unimaginable disaster struck the hotel, there were a total of 415 registered guests and 320 staff. Since then the hotel has accounted for 202 guests of which 163 have been safely repatriated with the other 39 presumed to have left Khao Lak by their own means. Of the staff only 221 of the 320 staff were at work today (Wednesday) and the hotel is now still trying to find the remaining staff and guests.

See other recent news from: Khao Lak, Tsunami