The number of dead is well over 22,000 now in the entire region. Thailand is going to have more than 1,000 when all is said and done – there are still bodies which are unretrievable – some of them high up in trees. As you can see, my regional guess was WAY low 
Injuries in Thailand already exceed 7,000. I’d bet at least 50% of the population, if not more, know someone who was in the affected area either just before or during the period when the tsunami struck.
My wife’s friend was going to be there until the 9th of January – but she came home the other day because she could not find a good room, complaining that all the farangs (white tourists) were getting the good rooms.
She is now counting her blessings that she could not find a decent room. Thank goodness that’s the closest I’ve gotten… so far… there are also reports that some of my kids’ teachers were in the area.