Tsunami Families Given Free Holidays

[george]

Tsunami families given free holidays

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is offering free holidays to relatives of the dead and injured from last year's tsunami, its prime minister said yesterday.

Free flights and accommodation will be provided for them for the anniversary of the Boxing Day disaster, and a number of commemorations are being planned.

More than 5,300 people died in Thailand on December 26, about half of them foreign tourists. The offer will cost the Thai authorities millions of pounds.

"We will invite the immediate families of those who died or were injured and will pay for their air fare and accommodation, so that they can see we are ready to welcome tourists again," said Thaksin Shinawatra.

It was unclear how long their trips will be or how many will take up the offer.

The leisure industry on the island of Phuket and the Khao Lak coast remains devastated by the disaster, despite claims that visitors are returning.

Asian tourists have shunned the area for fear of ghosts but Mr Thaksin, on a visit to Khao Lak, said the spirits were now no longer restless, having been reborn in accordance with Buddhism.

--Thelegraph.co.uk 2005-09-07

[NBT TV Phuket]

Mini-video with voices on http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=142768

from Special Report on Andaman News TV11 & FM90.5 Phuket 8.30am Friday 9 September 2005

With the ninth month approaching after the December 26th tsunami, the Thai government is now taking the lead on preparations for the commemoration event. Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Lipatapanlop on Wednesday called a meeting with related officials to discuss the theme and locations as well as how the commemoration will be held. The meeting has reached a conclusion that the commemoration will be an international event to reflect remembrance and sympathy to those who lost loved ones and at the same time mark the revival of the Andaman. The generous resolution by the cabinet on Tuesday that the Thai government will invite immediate families of tsunami victims, and those who were injured, to join in and sponsor their trip to Thailand, has received immediate international interest from foreign press, embassies and governments, especially from Nordic countries. The decision was reaffirmed by the Prime Minister during his weekly press conference in Bangkok yesterday. (voice)

Asked to clarify the offer, the Prime Minister said this covers the air fare and accommodation for relatives of victims.

Also yesterday the Head of Delegation from the Swedish Coordination Council for Swedish people affected by the Tsunami Disaster, visited the Vice Governor of Phuket, Niran Kalayamit, to discuss both the Thai government’s arrangements and the Swedish government’s own arrangements for ceremonies. We asked Mrs. Birgetta Darrell, to tell us more about her government council’s plans:

“We are in Phuket for 1 week to find a nice place for Swedish memorials on 4 & 11 November and also 26 December. We are traveling around – not yet decided where. Up till now about 150 Swedish people are due for 4 November and same amount for 11 November, and 3-400 for 26 December could be at our ceremonies.”

She told us that Swedish residents here in Thailand could also contact and apply through their website www.rsos.se

or through the Swedish Consulate, currently based at the Pearl Village Hotel in Nai Yang.

The local authority in Phuket is working with the private sector in preparation for the event. A committee to undertake the task has been set up as well as an information centre to provide accurate information to interested parties. Their website is www.phuketremembers.com