Many of our supporters have expressed a specific interest in the school at Tonsai - the main village on Phi Phi Island - and Phi Phi AID has therefore concentrated on projects related to this.

When the tsunami struck on 26 December 2005 there were about 150 pupils on roll, but as it was a Sunday, the school was closed.  The main building was badly damaged, as was the staff house, and other buildings were completely destroyed.  The resident staff managed to climb on the roof and escaped unharmed.  Six of the pupils died; many lost parents and other relatives.

The school re-opened on 1 November 2005.

The main reasons for the delay being:

The Government wanted to build a new school, further away from the sea, but there were long delays, so permission was obtained to use the old site, temporarily.  The timing for the new building is not known at present but the plans are impressive!

It took volunteers both Thai and of other nationalities much time and effort to clear, clean and repair the site and remaining buildings.

Pupils have been living mostly in refugee camps in Krabi with their families. It took time for parents to be able to work and live on the island again. Many are still waiting to return.