Tsunami Survivor Leads Community's Safety Efforts 20 Years Later

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Nearly 20 years after the Boxing Day tsunami, one man in Phang Nga province stands as a beacon of hope and safety for his community. Meet 59-year-old Banlue Choosin, a former fisherman turned guardian of the Andaman Sea.

Ban Nam Khem village, where Banlue lives, was one of the areas hit hardest by the 2004 disaster, which claimed 230,000 lives across multiple countries, including 5,400 in Phang Nga alone. Banlue remembers that day vividly.

"It was like a very, very tall wall of mist like dust covering the whole area," he recalled, as he helplessly watched the tsunami take his family and mother-in-law.

Determined to prevent such devastation again, Ban Nam Khem residents have transformed their community into a model of disaster preparedness. The village now has a concrete tsunami shelter, two alarm systems, and clearly marked evacuation routes. At the heart of this system is Banlue, who volunteers as a sea watcher. He monitors the waters for any anomalies after regional earthquakes and reports them to the provincial government.

The community takes readiness seriously. Every Wednesday morning, the tsunami alarms play the national anthem to ensure the system works. Residents are encouraged to keep a "grab bag" with essential documents for quick evacuations.

Approaching his 60th birthday, Banlue continues teaching his family and neighbors vital lessons, such as: "Don't just stand and watch. Leave calmly."

Neungduangjai Sritrakarn, another survivor, described how her mother’s urgent warning to evacuate saved them. Noticing unusual whitecaps and hearing a relative's warning, the family grabbed important documents and fled on motorbikes, witnessing a massive wall of water as they left.

Peter Baines, a former Australian forensic cop, is nearing the end of a 1,400-kilometer run across Thailand. His journey, "Run to Remember," commemorates the 20th anniversary of the tsunami, which affected 230,000 lives worldwide, including 5,400 in Thailand. He is expected to reach Khao Lak by December 26.