I was going to Koh Lone Island until the disaster this week. It sounds like Baan Mai was damaged and is not open. Any thoughts on Tioman Island for first week in January, 2005. Thanks for any help and/or thoughts you have.

could be a little wet as the NE monsoon season is not over yet.

As noted above, it is still the monsoon season in the Tioman area. In addition to rain, the wind will affect water clarity for diving and snorkeling. IMO Tioman is not at all an attractive island, and certainaly not compared to the west coast of Thailand. The East Coast of Malaysia has many more beautiful places, esp Rawa Island, but unfortunately January is not a good month for that side of Malyasia. You might want to consider Bali instead.

Pangkor and Langkawi on the East Coast would be great this time of the year but there's could be some impact from the Tsunami (not absolutely certain though).

Thanks for all your thoughts. We traveled to Bangkok instead. Will return to this beautiful land again next year under better circumstances. God Bless.