Government To Hold Tsunami Remembrance Ceremony

[Kan Win]

BANGKOK, Dec 19 (TNA) – The Thai government will hold a tsunami remembrance ceremony to mark the third anniversary of the disaster that visited Thailand's six Andaman coastal provinces killing more than 5,000 persons on December 26, according to Minister to the Prime Minister's office Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan.

Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, King Bhumibol Adulyadej's eldest daughter, who lost her son in the disaster, will preside at the ceremony.

Khunying Dhipavadee said the tsunami commemorative ceremony this year aimed to review and evaluate the activities that the public and private sectors had conducted to restore the natural resources that were destroyed by the tidal waves, and to record assistance that was given to the victims.

The ceremonies in each of the six provinces will be held in simple style.

Thailand's six Andaman coastal provinces -- Phang-nga, Krabi, Phuket, Ranong, Trang and Satun -- were hit by the Boxing Day tsunami Dec 26, 2004, with over 5,000 local residents as well as Thai and foreign holidaymakers lost their lives in the tidal waves.

Meanwhile, Phang-nga governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob said the ceremony on December 26 will be held in two sessions. In the morning, memorial services would be held at three locations: the site of the grounded police boat Tor 813 at Tambon Kikkak in Takua Pa district, Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park, and Bang Maruan Anonymous Cemetery.

During the evening session, religious services will take place at Chor Fah Beach, Bang Niang of Takua Pa district and Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya will preside.

Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont was scheduled to join the ceremony as well as ambassadors accredited to Thailand.

There will also be an exhibition on the life of Princess Ubolratana's son, Khun Poom Jensen.

As for the activities in Krabi and Phuket, apart from memorial services, there will be an exhibition to educate public on the tsunami.

Krabi province deputy governor Chailert Pinyorattanachot and Phuket Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office head Chotnarin Kerdsom together said the natural resources revival processes had been carried out on a continuing basis with a budget of Bt1.92 billion and that 2,680 homes had been built.

Krabi, Phang-nga and Phuket have confirmed increasing numbers of tourists as more visitors now have confidence in safety measures after a tsunami warning system was installed. (TNA)-E003

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Rest in Peace

Kan Win