I don't take issue with the humanitarian assistance at all, but I've heard Colin Powell (on FX) saying that some of the assistance will be going to rebuilding their tourist industry.
THAT is not money well spent. We should not be spending money to kick-start the Thai tourism industry--or anyone else's for that matter.
Hopefully, there will be an accounting on how and where this money is spent--to ensure that it helps the needy get clothing, food, medicines and the like.
That is how most of them make their living and if we or someone don't help them get it going again as fast as possible, "we" will be feeding, clothing and rendering medical care for a long time to come.
Specially when one considers the elephant in the front room...
That nobody is about to talk about...
What the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand are...