Problem: Tsunami wreckage makes it impossible to even get cleanup equipment near some sites.

Solution: Use something that doesn't require any infrastructure at all:

"[Elephants] will be assigned to work in towing heavy objects and pulling out debris," said Siriphong Leeprasit, a district official in Phang Nga. "Elephants could work better in pulling out the remains of collapsed buildings and houses, especially in areas flooded with mud or hilly areas."

In Indonesia, another 11 elephants - native to badly hit Sumatra island - have been pressed into similar duty because there were few trucks and other heavy equipment to do the job there. A TV report showed them pulling a sport utility vehicle from a collapsed building.

And they even work for peanuts!

Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week... try the veal!