Hey Jim,
Appreciate your concern, but I was in the US from Dec 3 to Dec 30. I arrived back in Bangkok on the 31st and everything (in Bangkok) was the same, just somewhat subdued - the Thai government asked that New Year's Eve parties be cancelled due to the tsunami disaster.
Any way, the damage was limited to the western beaches of Thailand (Andaman Sea.) The eastern, Gulf of Thailand, beaches are totally unaffected and booming. Actually, now is a good time to visit Phuket-the Thai hotels and restautrant owners are begging for tourists.
No, none of my friends were affected and I own no property in Thailand, so no loss there either.
Back in the USA, I was wearing two pair of socks, and a heavy sweater in the house; now I'm bare foot, clad in shorts and tee-shirt.
Man, what a difference 12 time zones make. LOL!
All the best,
Lance