Thailand remembers victims of 2004 tsunami

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand remembers victims of 2004 tsunami

Eleven years ago, the small fishing village of Baan Nam Khem lost more than half its population when the devastating Boxing Day tsunami struck Thailand’s coast. When the water finally ebbed, only 49 buildings were still standing.

Today, relatives of the victims gathered at Tsunami Memorial Park, bringing flowers and prayers for their loved ones.

The 2004 disaster was triggered by a massive earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean. Within hours, a series of waves reached the coastlines of 11 countries, killing close to 230,000 people across Asia and Africa.

Indonesia was hardest hit, with an estimated 160,000 deaths. Another half-million people were displaced.

In Thailand, more than 8,000 people were reported dead or missing.

An Indian Ocean tsunami warning system was established in 2006 and worked successfully when earthquakes hit the area once again in 2012.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-12-27

[rooster59]

Memorial services held on 11th anniversary of tsunami



Wreaths are placed at a memorial for the deceased during the 2004 tsunami disaster in Phuket yesterday, as part of events to mark the 11th anniversary of the tragedy.

THAILAND and other nations in and around the Indian Ocean held memorial services yesterday on the 11th anniversary of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami that killed about 230,000 people.

The southern provinces of Phuket and Krabi held religious rituals to make merit for the deceased and to remember those who were lost, as well as the heroes who rescued others. Similar activities were held in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and elsewhere in and around the Indian Ocean where the tidal waves reaped death and destruction, as far away as coastal Africa.

A total of about 230,000 people died from the December 26, 2004 tsunamis, one of the deadliest natural disasters on record.

Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada led officials in white and members of the public offering alms to 26 Buddhist monks at the city hall yesterday morning, while Laem Phet monastery near Patong Beach hosted a Buddhist merit-making event.

An Islamic ritual was also held at Bang Tao Beach in Tambon Cherng Thalae.

At the Mai Khao tsunami memorial cemetery, the "Eleven Year in Memory of Tsunami" event was held with a ceremony for Buddhists, plus Christians and Muslims. It was attended by the relatives of victims, officials and representatives from various embassies.

At the tsunami memorial stone area behind Sunwing Hotel, the Phuket Longstay mid and advanced Aged Japanese Association (PLAJA) hosted a tsunami anniversary event and a religious ritual in which three Japanese monks prayed for the deceased and missing in the disaster. In the evening, a tsunami anniversary exhibition, a mourning ceremony, a Christian ritual and a Buddhist teaching were due to be held at Patong.

Similar events were held in Krabi, while those who survived the deadly waves said they still could not forget the drama.

Krabi governor Pinit Boonler hosted the ceremonies for three faiths on Koh Phi Phi yesterday, during which divers also went underwater to lay wreaths at the undersea memorial at Ao Ton Sai.

Bee-ah Changreu, 58, who came to remember her friend and relatives who lost their lives in the waves said she still had the horror of tsunami - with bodies lying on beaches - vivid in her mind as she was also on Koh Phi Phi when the disaster occurred.

Ranong province did not host a tsunami anniversary service yesterday. Officials opted instead for a campaign for public knowledge on how people can protect themselves and survive disasters in the future. Provincial governor Suriyan Kanchanasil said related agencies would soon survey evacuation routes and re-arrange them, as well as fix disaster warning towers to be ready for use, to boost public confidence.

But several people still showed up at memorial sites in Ranong to lay flowers in memory of the deceased.

On December 26, 2004, the 9.1-magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami that hit coastal communities across the Indian Ocean. The waves hit six provinces on the Andaman coast - Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket, Ranong, Satun and Trang. It left at least 5,400 people dead and 2,800 missing.

Residents in Aceh held services yesterday also in memory at least 165,000 people killed in Indonesia's westernmost province.

"We can never forget this day. It brings us a lot of pain. My heart sinks as I think of my son," 42-year-old resident Anjammal Thangadurai said. She lost her 5-year old son in the tragedy.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Memorial-services-held-on-11th-anniversary-of-tsun-30275754.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-27

[Pimay1]

Does anyone know where the tsunami cash went? Here is an article from the Nation dated December 25, 2006.

"This is the first time that such a large group of Western countries has questioned the integrity of Thai police in an official letter".

[FourAces]

Does anyone know where the tsunami cash went? Here is an article from the Nation dated December 25, 2006.

"This is the first time that such a large group of Western countries has questioned the integrity of Thai police in an official letter".

The Australian government gave 25 million to Thailand.

I have Thai friends in Baan Naam Kem, Mr Thaksin sent government officials to Baan Naam Kem, asked everyone to put their names and details of what was lost.

They were told that they will be back to arrange financial assistance, they never came back.

My Thai friend had a large aluminum business he lost everything and was never given a cent and never rebuilt his business.

The Australian government asked Mr Thaksin, to show how and were the money was being used, they are still waiting for an answer

[rooster59]

Patong commemorates December 26 Tsunami with flower laying ceremony



Phuket Governor Chamroen presided over the ceremony.

PHUKET: Government officials, members of the public and tourists gathered in Patong last night (Decmeber 26) to commemorate victims of the fateful tsunami that struck the region 11 years ago.

The ceremony commenced at 7.10pm in the area of Patong's Loma Park, with Phuket Governor Chamroen Thipayapongthada preciding over the annual “Disaster Prevention” ceremony.

Taking part in the ceremony were representatives from Patong Municipality, the Phuket Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DPM) Regional Centre, friends and family of victims, survivors, as well as members of the public and private sectors.

The ceremony was opened with the reading of condolences from the Prime Minister, and followed by religious rites and a flower laying ceremony to honour those who were lost in the disaster 11 years ago.

Mr Sirisak Sakulroratcha, chief of the DPM Phuket office explained that December 26 was officially marked as “National Disaster Prevention Day” by decree of a Cabinet Resolution made on June 14, 2005.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/patong-commemorates-december-26-tsunami-with-flower-laying-ceremony-55581.php

-- Phuket News 2015-12-27

[Pimay1]

Does anyone know where the tsunami cash went? Here is an article from the Nation dated December 25, 2006.

"This is the first time that such a large group of Western countries has questioned the integrity of Thai police in an official letter".

Here is the article.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/25/headlines/headlines_30022434.php

[scubascuba3]

I was in Khao Lak a couple of weeks before 2000 were killed in the tsunami. I felt lucky to be alive. i gave a donation to the appeal in the UK i think £30M was raised, the largest ever, just a shame some/most/all of it was stolen from those who should have received it.

[bangon04]

Still no reliable stats for the death toll in Myanmar itself. Guess the real story is still "lost".

[Wilsonandson]

RIP. Amen

[mmh8]

this is why the existence of god should be questioned. Were this an act to stamp out corruption and evil doing in the South then surely it should not of been allowed to start up again