Over 14,000 Guests To Join Tsunami Commemoration

[george]

Over 14,000 guests expected to join tsunami commemoration

BANGKOK: -- Over 14,000 guests are expected to attend the Thai government-sponsored first anniversary tsunami remembrance ceremonies set to be held Dec 25-27 in the Andaman coastal provinces of Thailand devastated by the tsunami disaster Dec 26 last year, according to Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop.

Mr. Suwat said he had briefed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in the cabinet meeting on Tuesday about the developments of the first anniversary tsunami memorial services, based on a report by the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the ministry's website recently received about 2,700 inquiries about the events.

In response to the Ministry's invitations, many have shown interest in participating the events. An estimated 14,000 Thai and foreign guests--including survivors and immediate relatives of tsunami victims and 60 heads of state and other VIP guests--are expected to show up for the ceremonies. Attendance is expected to be finalised by Nov 15.

All invited guests are offered free return air tickets and two nights' accommodation by the Thai government. Some 4,000 hotel rooms, mostly in Phuket and Phang Nga provinces where the memorial ceremonies will be held, have been reserved for the guests.

In addition, some local Thai residents' houses have been prepared as alternative accommodation for those who prefer to stay at a place like 'home'. Free accommodation in local residents' homes in a 'home stay' under the 'To Be My Guest' campaign is expected to even better impress guests.

All guests are scheduled to arrive in Thailand on December 25. On December 26 they can choose wherever among five different locations to attend tsunami memorial services that will be held between 9.30 and 10.30am at Patong Beach and Kamala Beach in Phuket province, Bang Niang and Nam Khem

villages in Phang Nga province, and Phi Phi Island in Krabi.

On the afternoon of Dec 26, guests are invited to attend the foundation-laying ceremony of the tsunami memorial in Phang Nga's Khao Lak Lamru National Park. Sponsored guests are scheduled to return home Dec 27. Those who prefer to stay longer will arrange for further accommodation themselves.

--TNA 2005-10-26

[jrincon17]

Over 14,000 guests expected to join tsunami commemoration 

BANGKOK: -- Over 14,000 guests are expected to attend the Thai government-sponsored first anniversary tsunami remembrance ceremonies set to be held Dec 25-27 in the Andaman coastal provinces of Thailand devastated by the tsunami disaster Dec 26 last year, according to Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop.

Mr. Suwat said he had briefed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in the cabinet meeting on Tuesday about the developments of the first anniversary tsunami memorial services, based on a report by the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the ministry's website recently received about 2,700 inquiries about the events.

In response to the Ministry's invitations, many have shown interest in participating the events. An estimated 14,000 Thai and foreign guests--including survivors and immediate relatives of tsunami victims and 60 heads of state and other VIP guests--are expected to show up for the ceremonies. Attendance is expected to be finalised by Nov 15.

All invited guests are offered free return air tickets and two nights' accommodation by the Thai government. Some 4,000 hotel rooms, mostly in Phuket and Phang Nga provinces where the memorial ceremonies will be held, have been reserved for the guests.

In addition, some local Thai residents' houses have been prepared as alternative accommodation for those who prefer to stay at a place like 'home'. Free accommodation in local residents' homes in a 'home stay' under the 'To Be My Guest' campaign is expected to even better impress guests.

All guests are scheduled to arrive in Thailand on December 25. On December 26  they can choose wherever among five different locations to attend tsunami memorial services that will be held between 9.30 and 10.30am at Patong Beach and Kamala Beach in Phuket province, Bang Niang and Nam Khem

villages in Phang Nga province, and Phi Phi Island in Krabi.

On the afternoon of Dec 26, guests are invited to attend the foundation-laying ceremony of the tsunami memorial in Phang Nga's Khao Lak Lamru National Park. Sponsored guests are scheduled to return home Dec 27. Those who prefer to stay longer will arrange for further accommodation themselves.

--TNA 2005-10-26

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thats great for tourism , bad for me as i wanted to come down for xmas .

[NBT TV Phuket]

Applications for financial assistance to travel & stay for Tsunami ceremonies can now be made online but only until 6 November

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs have announced through their website www.mfa.go.th/tsunami

that applications can be made online for one next-of-kin of Tsunami victims or missing persons, and those injured and admitted to a hospital in the Tsunami-affected provinces of Thailand. Each guest can apply for financial support for international flights and domestic transportation, which includes a Bangkok-Phuket return air-ticket, and accommodation between 25-27 December 2005. Extra financial support can be arranged upon request for the injured who need to be accompanied by an assistant, whereby appropriate documentation from a hospital must be shown. Those interested in attending the Commemorative Ceremonies on 26 December 2005 must submit an application form and related documentation by Sunday 6 November 2005. Financial sponsorship will be in a form of reimbursement under the terms and conditions on the website.

FROM Andaman News TV11 Phuket, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket & Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket, 8.30am Wednesday 2nd November 2005 & www.Thaisnews.com

MINI-VIDEO ON: http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=149080

[The_Moog]

According to the website, the Thai Airways tickets are 'H' class Economy, and that means 100% air mile accrual.

[NBT TV Phuket]

Also according to the website, the Application deadline is now extended to 15 November 2005.

[sierra01]

'Financial sponsorship will be in a form of reimbursement under the terms and conditions on the website.'

That bit worries me, I don't think many Govt departments are quick to pay money OUT, quick to demand money yes. People usually have to save for months to pay for a trip here, what happens if they don't have the money readily available?