Fatalities In 2004 Tsunami Remembered: Thailand

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Fatalities in 2004 tsunami remembered

The Nation

Photo by EPA/YONGYOT PRUKSARAK

Coastal provinces in the South held tsunami remembrance ceremonies today to mark the seventh anniversary of the disaster that hit six provinces on the Andaman coast, killing more than 5,000 people including foreign tourists.

In Phuket, multi-faith ceremonies of Buddhists, Christians and Muslims were held at Mai Khao Cemetery, where the remains of tsunami victims were formerly kept. The Japanese Association hosted a similar event at Kamala Beach.

At 7pm, the province is set to hold the "Light Up Phuket" event at Loma Park on Patong Beach. The candlelight ceremony will pay tribute to the dead and other victims. Candles will be placed in sand holes and airborne lanterns will be released.

In Phang Nga, merit-making ceremonies were held at two locations in Takua Pa district - at the remains of police patrol vessel Tor 813 left grounded far inland by the tidal wave and at Baan Nam Kem Tsunami Memorial Park.

In Krabi, Governor Prasit Osathanon joined a merit-making ceremony on Phi Phi Island and laid flowers in commemoration of the dead. Some 300 Thais and foreigners attended the multi-faith ceremonies. About 700 people including tourists were killed here in the 2004 tsunami.

They observed a moment of silence and donated stainless steel wreaths to an environmental conservation club to lay on the sea bed about 800 metres from Phi Phi Island.

On December 26, 2004, Phang Nga, Krabi, Phuket, Ranong, Trang and Satun were hit by a massive tidal wave, causing the deaths of more than 5,000 local residents as well as Thai and foreign holidaymakers.

A magnitude 9.15 earthquake off Indonesia triggered the deadly Indian Ocean tsunami which left around 226,000 persons dead or missing in Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and nine other countries.

-- The Nation 2011-12-26

[sirchai]

In Phang Nga, merit-making ceremonies were held at two locations in Takua Pa district - at the remains of police patrol vessel Tor 813 left grounded far inland by the tidal wave and at Baan Nam Kem Tsunami Memorial Park.

I'll never forget Baan Naam Khem as I've stayed there with my wife until November 2004, when we moved to the north east. We saw what happened on TV and drove back 3 weeks after the Tsunami. We couldn't believe our eyes, many of our friends had died,or were missing.

Nothing was left in Baan Naam Khem, only the smell of dead bodies around us. Many of our friends who survived couldn't handle what had happened. Imagine there's no heaven.........

Edited December 26, 2011 by sirchai

[angiud]

May all the victims of this huge disaster rest in peace

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7TH ANNIVERSARY

2004 Tsunami remembered amid debate on disasters

Salinee Prab

Jiraporn Phetdee

The Nation

Students to learn to face crises like landslides, forest fires and floods

Thais and foreigners gathered in six tsunami-hit provinces yesterday to commemorate the anniversary of the deadly giant waves that ravaged the Andaman coast on December 26 seven years ago, killing thousands and shocking the world.

Religious rituals were conducted at many sites in dedication to those who lost their lives.

"I miss my dad. I hope such a disaster will never happen again," nine-year-old Hatchai Noophom said. His father was among at least 8,000 killed or lost in Thailand.

Grief still filled the air as relatives of the victims laid down flowers at the Tsunami Wall of Remembrance in Phuket yesterday.

The anniversary also brought attention to the need for disaster preparedness.

In Phuket's Kathu, provincial officials and others held activities to raise public awareness about disasters and to push for better preparation.

At a seminar there, Foundation of National Disaster Warning Council chairman Dr Smith Dhammasaroj said curriculum material would ensure that students from upper |primary levels learn about disasters including tsunamis, landslides, forest fires and floods.

"Students should be encouraged to study about disasters that often |hit their area because the knowledge will raise their level of preparedness," the disaster official said.

But Assoc Prof Dr Seree Supharatid, who heads the Centre on Climate Change and Disaster |at Rangsit University, said curricula so far failed to include disaster content. "This is despite the fact that the tsunami hit hard seven years ago."

Seree said learning materials should equip children with survival skills, and an awareness that in times of crisis there would be no electricity or cell-phone signals to rely on.

Dr Amornwich Nakornthap, an academic adviser to the Quality Learning Foundation, said teachers and schools could play a role in increasing local communities' ability to deal with disasters.

In Ranong, provincial disaster prevention and mitigation chief Chasan Kongruang said the early-warning system was comprehensive now following the 2004 tsunami. "If giant waves are to hit again, we should be able to avoid huge losses."

He added that evacuation drills had also been conducted to ensure locals knew where to run for safety in times of emergency.

-- The Nation 2011-12-27

[SGD]

Even though I knew what a tsunami was long before that fateful day, nothing prepared you for the level of devastation. One can only imagine how bad it was in areas where far more were affected.

We'll never forget.

[TechnikaIII]

With repect and sadness ... "There but for the grace of God go I"