Coral Bleaching In Thailand & Malaysia

I have read that beginning 6 months ago an El Nino has devasted coral in the Indian Ocean, S,E, Asia including Thailand i,e, Similan and Surin Islands, etc and Malaysia i.e. Redang, Pedang, Prehentian, Islands etc. . They say while it is not as bad as the 1998 El Nino it is the worst bleaching since then leaving large areas of coral grey white and in turn less fish at 5-25 ft. because there is no coral for them to nourish them. I gather at 35-40 ft. the problem is only a minor issue.
We are avid free divers with plan to go to the Similan's on a liveabourd soon and want first hand feedback from folks who have been snorkeling or diving in the S,E, Asian region in the past 3-4 months.
Thanks.

I have not been at the Similans for 5 months since the national park is closed at the moment. Also I don't have first hand experience for some of the destinations you mention.
But can tell you that there was here in the area some coral bleaching, but nothing too bad. The corals are recovering fast and seem not to have died.

Been to the Similans the very last week the park was open...and didn't see a lot of bleaching!
There was some, but it was nothing compared to the other amazing things to be seen there!

Could've changed in the last few months though, but I reckon it only could have recovered!