2nd Norwegian Memorial At Kata Noi Beach

[NBT TV Phuket]

Mini-video & photo on http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=146365

Special Report – Andaman News TV11 Phuket, broadcast for 3 provinces: Phuket, Phang Nga & Krabi & FM90.5 Phuket, 8.30am Monday 10 October 2005 & www.ThaiSnews.com

An emotional and moving memorial was held last Friday with about 200 Norwegian relatives, friends, officials & DVI police for all 81 Norwegians who died from the tsunami last year in Thailand & 3 who died in Sri Lanka. The 2nd Norwegian memorial followed a similar event in May for other relatives and was arranged by the Norwegian government who flew most of the guests to Phuket. (Perhaps appropriately Friday was the also the same day the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize was announced.)

Held in the Katathani Phuket Beach Resort on a rainy afternoon and gentle waves on the Kata Noi beach, the solemn memorial started with a trumpet solo by a Norwegian artist Arne Kollandstrud.

Then a priest from the Norwegian Seaman’s Church in Phuket gave a welcome speech in the Norwegian language.

That was followed by a renowned Thai flute player Thanis Srilingdee, who gave a poignant performance sounding like the wind and waves.

The memorial was attended by the Norwegian Public Health Minister Ansger Gabrielsen, who gave a speech.

A trumpeter then led the choir to sing a hymn of remembrance.

One of the relatives read out an emotional poem written by one of the victims, Stefan Loken, before he died in Khao Lak.

A priest from the Norwegian’s Seamen’s church led a prayer for those who perished at sea and in the ensuing disaster.

In the most moving part of the ceremony, the Minister then read out all the 84 names of the victims, one by one. For each name, a red rose was placed, one by one, to build a heart shaped wreath.

A minute’s silence was held as they stood still in time.

A singer, guitarist & trumpeter played the rousing song, ‘Field of Gold’, in English.

Neatly dressed Norwegian DVI police officers stood in line as the relatives then headed down to the beach with flowers and wreaths.

Some stared at the waves with disbelief, as nature seemed so cruel that fateful Day in December, yet the Andaman Sea today seems so gentle and welcoming.

Families and friends supported each other while others took time alone, to remember and reflect on happier memories.

The Norwegian Public Health Minister, who came to Phuket before, told us privately that it was also an emotional time for him as he has been working alongside the families from the start, but due to the recent Norwegian election, this was his last visit as Minister.

As the sun set behind heavy clouds over the Andaman Sea, the Norwegian relatives & friends made their final farewells to their lost loved ones.

(More info from Norway’s Seaman’s Church in Phuket:

www.sjomannskirken.no/phuket

www.flomkatastrofen.no/phuketkontoret

)