Boxing Day 2004 tsunami : fourth anniversary of

**Mid** · 26-12-2008, 09:49 AM

Mokens, displaced persons launch songs on their lives

This Friday December 26 is the fourth anniversary of the devastating Boxing Day 2004 tsunami which struck six Andaman coastal provinces, killing more than 5,000 people in Thailand. Among the survivers of the tragedy are Moken sea gypsies, who are today still struggling to be recognized as Thai citizens.

Moken people in Ranong and displaced persons in Prachuap Kiri Khan and Chumpon are considered by the government as non-Thai citizens. They are calling for their legal status and Thai nationality, and have united to convey their suffering through songs in a special album called "From the heart of Andaman."

The songs, composed by volunteers and locals, feature the way of life of Moken people, who have settled on several islands in the Andaman Sea, as well as displaced persons who live along the Thai-Myanmar border.

They speak Thai and say they are Thais. What they want more than anything is to have legal rights as Thai people.

"My life is difficult. My classmates tease me. When my teacher asked me to show my house registration, they knew. They said I wasn’t Thai but I was from Myanmar." Nisachon Chukaew, a displaced person.

The songs on the new album were made with the aim of reflecting the Moken and displaced persons’ lives and to publicize the problems faced by people without citizenship. They don’t want to earn money from selling albums, rather they want the public to understand them.

“Our ultimate hope is to disseminate life unsaid in society. People talk about Andaman tourism and the economy, but we talk about the lives of sea gypsies, which can be lost in the ongoing development of society." Maitree Chongkraichak , Tsunami Victim Network coordinator.

This Friday on the fourth anniversary of the 2004 tsunami, the songs of the Mokens, who suffered greatly in the natural disaster, will be playing loud for others to acknowledge the lack of legal rights and other plights they face in not being granted Thai citizenship. The Mokens and displaced persons sincerely hope they will be given a chance to have a place in Thai society.

enews.mcot.net

**Mid** · 26-12-2008, 09:58 AM

Key facts about the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami
Friday December 26, 2008

Reuters

The Boxing Day, or Asian tsunami was triggered by an earthquake off the coast of the Island of Sumatra, Indonesia.

The Indian Ocean or the Sumatran-Andaman earthquake, hit just before 1pm NZ time on December 26, 2004.

The magnitude 9.3 quake occurred along the Indian and Eurasian plates and caused a 1,200km section of the earth's crust to surge upward, displacing a large body of water.

In deep water waves travel quickly, but remain low. On reaching shallower water waves move slower but at a greater higher.

The tsunami reached speeds of up to 800km/h and heights of up to 30 metres.

The Nicobar and Andaman Islands were the first coastlines to be hit, less than 10 minutes after the quake. Banda Aceh was hit shortly after.

The tsunami reached Thailand and Sri Lanka after two hours, and Somalia after 7 hours.

The wave spread around the world, with tidal fluctuations being recorded as far away as Iceland and the Eastern United States.

Indonesia suffered the greatest number of casualties, with an estimated loss of nearly 168,000 people, and more that half a million left homeless.
Sri Lanka, India and Thailand also suffered heavy loss of life and destruction.

Casualties occurred in 12 countries and are estimated at around 230,000 with nearly 1.7 million people displaced.

55 countries lost people to the tsunami, many of them tourists. Germany and Sweden suffered the greatest loss of lives among countries not directly hit. 56 New Zealanders died and 276 Australians.

Forensic work was used to attempt to identify many of the victims. DNA testing was also used in authenticating parents claiming lost infants.

The international response to the disaster was unprecedented with over $20m in aid being pledged.

tvnz.co.nz

**Mr R Sole** · 26-12-2008, 10:05 AM

Great article Mid' I have met numerous Moken people's after the Tsunami in Khao Lak, also during the pathetic 1st years Tsunami rememberance day also in Khao Lak. Which just used these lovely hardworking people as a tourist attraction in their newly built 'shacks' only then to be told a year later that they weren't allowed to go back to their islands. (because it wasn't safe for them) oh and of course the Thai elite and more of Thaksin's buddies will buy it and set up a exclusive resort..just like they have done in Koh Phi Phi.
I have even worse stories from Khao lak from eyewitness' westerners and Thai's should you wish.
Tragic stories and still nothing being done after 4 years, Eh waasn't the unifying slogan TRT Thai's love Thai's...yeah but only if your part of the Thaksin crew..and ready to manipulate and steal from people below your supposed Class status. (rant,rant,rant,RANT!!!) but it's true.

**Rural Surin** · 26-12-2008, 10:07 AM

Why is the reference of this tragic event equated with Boxing Day? Boxing Day has nothing to do with Thai culture, less Asian. Why must we mark a Asian event, an Asian happening with a reference that has nothing to do whatsoever with said calendar date of a Anglo holiday?

**Mr R Sole** · 26-12-2008, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Why is the reference of this tragic event equated with Boxing Day? Boxing Day has nothing to do with Thai culture, less Asian. Why must we mark a Asian event, an Asian happening with a reference that has nothing to do whatsoever with said calendar date of a Anglo holiday?

Rural Surin get a hold of your self, 1:I suppose that the article was a written by a westerner and third it's a damn site quicker (if not correct for your sensibilities) to write Boxing day, than it is the write 26th of December 2004..or should that say for you 2548???? 2

id you happen to lose anyone you knew or are you just being bloody pedantic towards Mid and the writer of the article. Either way it's a very sad day for me and I couldn't give a monkeys what they call it. just remembering my lost friends.

**Mid** · 26-12-2008, 10:37 AM

Phang-nga commemorates 4th anniversary of Boxing Day tsunami disaster

PHANG-NGA, Dec 26 (TNA) - Thailand's public and private sectors held a tsunami remembrance ceremony in the southern province of Phang-nga to mark the fourth anniversary of the December 26 disaster that hit Thailand's six Andaman coastal provinces killing more than 5,000 persons four years ago today.

The six provinces -- Phang-nga, Krabi, Phuket, Ranong, Trang and Satun -- were hit by the unprecedented tsunami of Dec 26, 2004, in which over 5,000 local residents as well as Thai and foreign holidaymakers losing their lives in the tidal waves.

The ceremonies in Phang-nga were held in three locations: at the grounded marine police patrol vessel Tor 813 at Tambon Kikkak in Takua Pa district, in Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park, and at Bang Maruan Cemetery.

The ceremony to mark the disaster that hit the southern provinces on Boxing Day began at the marine police vessel Tor 813 at 8.30 am.

Education Minister Jurin Laksanawisit was scheduled to preside over the ceremoy to pay tribute to the victims of the giant tidal waves and to release 177 floating lanterns to commemorate those who lost their lives at 6 pm.

At Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park, the local Bang Muang authorities and the tusnami victim network were to conduct joint religious ceremonies – Buddhist, Christian and Muslim -- for the victims.

A ceremomy commemorating the life of Khun Poom Jensen, son of Princess Ubolratana, eldest daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is also being held.

Nearly 400 bodies of tsunami victims remain unidentified after four years, according to the Thai Tsunami Victim Identification and Repatriation Centre in Phangnga.

Centre director Nitinai Sornsongkram said 388 bodies of tsunami victims remain unidentified.

The centre received 3,696 bodies in February 2005 and 3,308 bodies were unidentified and retrieved by their relatives, he said.

He affirmed that agency workers are still trying to identify the bodies and to return them to their families.

At present, there are 445 still missing persons who have been reported by their relatives. Of these, 290 are Thais, 95 are Myanmar migrant workers and 60 are Scandinavians. (TNA)

enews.mcot.net

**The Fresh Prince** · 26-12-2008, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Mid

What they want more than anything is to have legal rights as Thai people.

It's sad but I'd say they've got very little chance. About 5 years ago I went to stay on an island of the coast of Rannong about 4 hours by boat called Koh Pai Yam. It had a high population of 'diplaced' Burmese but they were treated no better than slaves.

Every Thai family on the island had at least one and thier human rights were not taken into consideration at all. They were there purly to work for thier family. They were not alowd to ride motorcycles and were not alowd out after sunset. Social gatherings for them were also frowned upon during the day. In fact an armed mob would patrol the island after dark, self policing the island looking for Burmese. I was told by the people that i was staying with that these people would go 'missing' all the time and no-one would ever look into what happened to them.

It was the closest thing that i've ever witnessed to slavery.

**Rural Surin** · 26-12-2008, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Mr R Sole

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Why is the reference of this tragic event equated with Boxing Day? Boxing Day has nothing to do with Thai culture, less Asian. Why must we mark a Asian event, an Asian happening with a reference that has nothing to do whatsoever with said calendar date of a Anglo holiday?

Rural Surin get a hold of your self, 1:I suppose that the article was a written by a westerner and third it's a damn site quicker (if not correct for your sensibilities) to write Boxing day, than it is the write 26th of December 2004..or should that say for you 2548???? 2

id you happen to lose anyone you knew or are you just being bloody pedantic towards Mid and the writer of the article. Either way it's a very sad day for me and I couldn't give a monkeys what they call it. just remembering my lost friends.

First, I don't mock Middy - he knows that. And just because I might critique any current news item in which he post, doesn't mean I don't appreciate his great effort on TD. Second, please don't peddle Eurocentric apolgies. Has nothing to do with a reference to a European {British} holiday in marking the calendar date to the the very Thai event and subsequent story. I tire of this lazy acceptance that the whole world needs stepping-to a homogenous Western/Anglo-American reference. How many Thais do you know that understand what a foking 'Boxing Day' is? Yes, I was here. I live here...year-round. I also have emotional feelings in rememerance, but what does my critique of this 'distant' writers use of references have to do with how I might feel or remember the tragic event?

**Mr R Sole** · 26-12-2008, 11:27 AM

My Friends were living and working in Khao lak in the Dive industry and recorded the event on their cameras and the immediate aftermath...and it's really shocking big at takua pa and Khao lak. This was the site of the biggest wave and damage done to thailand and yet most of the TV last night and this morning has been about Phuket?
So Kudos to Mcot for actually stating the names of the worst affected areas in Thailand.

**Rural Surin** · 26-12-2008, 11:43 AM

I'm sorry for your loss.

**Mr R Sole** · 26-12-2008, 11:50 AM

I tire of this lazy acceptance that the whole world needs stepping-to a homogenous Western/Anglo-American reference. How many Thais do you know that understand what a foking 'Boxing Day' is? Yes, I was here. I live here...year-round.
I also have emotional feelings in rememerance, but what does my critique of this 'distant' writers use of references have to do with how I might feel or remember the tragic event?[/quote]

Well Surin, You may tire, however Thai's all over Thailand are trying to learn English. And not just to communicate with the 'Western-Anglo/American beat' as it were. Maybe they are just trying to communicate with over a 5th of the population of the planet??? and rising daily.
Well as the date is also on every article, I'm sure that maybe Thai's do know at least what the name equates to....26/12/...

As for your critique on the 'distant' writers use of reference have to do with how you feel. Well it obviously does as that seemed to be crux of your original comment. Rather than express the way you felt/ feel today 4yrs on!

**Mr R Sole** · 26-12-2008, 11:52 AM

Thanks for that Surin, you can vent your feelings about the disaster..should you wish.

**EmperorTud** · 26-12-2008, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

Every Thai family on the island had at least one and thier human rights were not taken into consideration at all. They were there purly to work for thier family. They were not alowd to ride motorcycles and were not alowd out after sunset. Social gatherings for them were also frowned upon during the day. In fact an armed mob would patrol the island after dark, self policing the island looking for Burmese. I was told by the people that i was staying with that these people would go 'missing' all the time and no-one would ever look into what happened to them.

Sounds much like Nazi Germany to me.

**Chairman Mao** · 26-12-2008, 01:29 PM

Appartently the Royal Thai Police said they're gonna give back some of the 30,000,000 baht that they stole from the 36,000,000 baht charity that they were in charge of.

Bless 'em.

**Mid** · 26-12-2008, 10:35 PM

**Mid** · 26-12-2008, 11:00 PM

People gather on Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand, to mark the fourth anniversary of the South East Asian tsunami.

BBC NEWS | In Pictures | Day in pictures

**The Fresh Prince** · 26-12-2008, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

Sounds much like Nazi Germany to me.

Pretty much.

I've heard the same stories about Rannong also.

**dirtydog** · 27-12-2008, 05:38 PM

Thais and Tourists Remember 2004 Tsunami

Today's top story... four years have passed since the Boxing Day Tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Today hundreds of mourners and visitors in Phuket, Thailand marked the fourth anniversary.

STORY:
The governor of Phuket presided over the ceremony in Patong Beach. Survivors and victims relatives gathered at a monument at Loma Park which pays tribute to lives lost from the natural disaster.

The mourners observe a minute of silence and offer alms in tribute to the souls of the victims.

Many survivors returned to Phuket to remember the day and give thanks for their blessings.

About half of the over 5000 deaths in Thailand were foreigners. They were residing or vacationing at the famous resorts of Patong Beach and other coastal provinces in the south.

[Stephen Sumpion, British Survivor]:
"We feel very sad, very confused. We didn't know what was happening at first. But then, as the day progressed, we found out there have been a big wave. We went up to the mountain and stayed up there most of the day. But then the next day we came back there was total devastation. But the Thai people got it all together and within a week New Year's went ahead. And I came back the next year to buy a house and everything was put back together. All of the shops were opened, all the roads were opened. Within a year, everything was back to normal."

Some of the survivors took time to recover from the trauma, although many feel safe now.

[Paulette Vandenwyngaard, Dutch Tourist]:
"Yes I feel safe. At first year we were back, it was a bit difficult because you look at the sea and you think will it be calm. But now, every year we come back, and we feel pretty safe."

Thailand has since built a lot of tsunami warning towers along its Andaman seacoast and the Gulf of Thailand.

**dirtydog** · 27-12-2008, 05:40 PM

Tsunami Visualization at Thailand by Chulalongkorn

**Mid** · 27-12-2008, 05:55 PM

Thailand has since built a lot of tsunami warning towers along its Andaman seacoast and the Gulf of Thailand.

any in working order ?

**Mid** · 12-09-2010, 05:48 AM

Govt plans to grant Moken land title deeds in effort to preserve culture
12/09/2010

The government plans to grant community land title deeds to the Moken ethnic group to protect them from the impact of tourism and economic development.

PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said he had been working with the Culture Ministry to draft the measures to safeguard the sea gypsies' way of life.

There are about 10,000 Moken living in coastal communities in five southern provinces, the Culture Ministry said.

"Moken people are facing many difficulties in their life, such as habitat security, poor living conditions and problems concerning their nationality status," Mr Sathit said last week during a meeting with advocates for ethnic minorities.

"The government plans to grant them community land title deeds to ensure their rights to live on their land," Mr Sathit said.

Long established Moken communities will be granted land title deeds to enable them to make a living from the land. Individuals would be prohibited from selling the land under the regulation.

The government plans to grant community land deeds to around 88 pilot communities nationwide, 15 of which are in coastal areas populated by small-scale fishermen.

Mr Sathit said the government plans to grant the deeds to 30 communities by year's end.

Activists warned, however, that the task would be complicated by people claiming rights to the land on which the communities live.

For example, at least two people have claimed they owned coastal land plots near Rawai beach in Phuket, which are home to around 225 Moken families, they said.

Authorities have been investigating to determine if the sea gypsies lived on the land prior to the issuance of a title deed to the land's owner in 1965.
The Moken group is also facing increasing pressure from environmental authorities.

Moken villagers were at risk of being caught and charged by National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department officials for illegally fishing in marine national parks, said Preeda Kongpaen, director of the Chumchonthai Foundation.

"The conflict between the sea gypsies and state authorities occur everywhere. State authorities should respect their ethnic culture and way of life," she said. "Strict legal action should not be taken against these people, most of whom are poor villagers, as it will force them to abandon their culture."

She wanted the government to push forward another plan that would see areas in which Moken live declared cultural protection zones, which would guarantee the rights of the minority group to live on the land and make a living.

The cultural protection zone plan was approved by cabinet on June 2, but there has been no progress on it since, Ms Preeda said.

National Parks deputy chief Suwit Rattanamanee denied that his department was trying to destroy the Moken's way of life.

In the case of land disputes, Mr Suwit said, the agency would use satellite images to verify the year each community occupies the land plots.

bangkokpost.com

**Mid** · 23-12-2010, 04:15 PM

Thai Phuket Island to hold tsunami remembrance
Dec 23, 2010

Thailand's resort province of Phuket plans to hold a tsunami remembrance ceremony on Dec 26, in memory of the victims killed in the 'Boxing Day' tsunami 6 years ago.

"A ceremony marking the 6th anniversary of the tsunami tragedy will be held on December 26, next Sunday. The event will be staged in three locations, with two along the Pa Tong and Kamala beachfront in Phuket's Katu district, the other near the city's tsunami memorial wall in Thalang," said Phuket City governor Tree Ackaradecha.

The Pa Tong waterfront will see religious services in the morning, while in the evening a candle-lit event 'Light UP Phuket' will be held, co-organised by Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT and Pa Tong Municipality.

The Phuket governor acknowledged rumours of tsunami-related quakes have been wide-spread lately, but dismissed them unconditionally, assuring the public authorities were well-prepared to issue timely alerts, and held evacuation exercises 1-2 times annually.

The 2004 tsunami claimed 5,395 lives, including 1,899 Thai nationals and 1,953 foreigners. 1,543 bodies were unidentified, while 8,457 people were wounded and 2,995 missing.

asianage.com

**Mid** · 24-12-2010, 05:52 AM

Details of Phuket tsunami memorial services announced
Thursday, December 23, 2010

PHUKET: Details of Sunday’s remembrance services for those who lost their lives in the 2004 tsunami disaster have been announced.

The first service will take place at 8:30am at the Tsunami Wall of Remembrance in Mai Khao.

Later in the morning, at the Tsunami Monument in Kamala, memorial speeches will be given by various dignitaries, including Governor Tri Augaradacha and the Japanese Ambassador to Thailand Seiji Kojima.

The day of remembrance will conclude at Loma Park in Patong with the 'Light up Phuket' ceremony.

Full list of Sunday’s remembrance services:

Tsunami Wall of Remembrance, Mai Khao

8:30am: Speech by Sarawut Srisakukarm, President of the Mai Khao Tambon Administration.

8:30 to noon: Various activities, including one minute of silence, a multi-faith ceremony and the laying of wreaths.

Noon: Lunch.

Tsunami Monument, Kamala Beach

11:10am: Speech by Kazushi Miyashita, President of the Phuket Japanese Association.

11:20am: Speech by Governor Tri.

11:30am: Speech by Ambassador Seiji.

11:40am: Speech by Phallop Thaiarry, Secretary-General of the World Fellowship of Buddhists.

11:50am: Speech by Torajiro Ohashi, President of Japanese Association in Thailand.

Noon to12:40 pm: Prayer by Buddhist priests from Japan and laying of wreaths at tsunami monument.

1pm to 2:30 pm: Lunch at the Sunwing Resort.

'Light up Phuket' – Loma Park, Patong

1pm to 5pm: Drawing and painting competitions for all ages.

5pm to 6:10pm: Traditional Thai musical performance.

6:30pm: Speech by Sombat Kuruphan, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

6:35pm: Tsunami memorial poem recital by students of Ban Talad Nuea School.

6:40pm: One minute of silence.

6:41pm: Mass prayer led by Pastor Brian Burton.

6:45pm: Laying of wreaths on Patong Beach.

6:55pm: Lighting of candles on Patong Beach.

7pm to 7:30pm: Performance of a Khon play.

phuketgazette.net

**StrontiumDog** · 27-12-2010, 11:28 AM

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...ngs-of-tsunami

South upset by warnings of tsunami

Psychic's claims spook locals, hurt bookings

Published: 27/12/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

The government is working to dispel rumours sparked by a fortune teller that Andaman coastal provinces will be hit by a tsunami on Thursday.

Anchalee Vanich, the prime minister's deputy secretary-general and a resident of Phuket, said a vigorous campaign was under way to reassure residents and tourists along the Andaman coast.

Residents are frightened after a fortune teller predicted a tsunami would hit the region on Dec 30.

Some tourists are reported to have cancelled their hotel bookings.

Ms Anchalee insisted yesterday that early warning systems and contingency plans were in place and people could visit the provinces with confidence.

Kruawan Jankaew, a geologist with Chulalongkorn University's faculty of science, said there was very little chance of a tsunami in the near future since there have been no warning signs.

Phuwieng Prakhammintara, director of the Meteorological Department's earthquake and tsunami research and development division, said that while no one could predict the precise timing of an earthquake, the department had improved its monitoring systems and disaster response strategies.

A remembrance ceremony was held yesterday in Phuket to mark the sixth anniversary of the tsunami that killed thousands in Thailand and almost 230,000 people around the Indian Ocean on Dec 26, 2004.

Phuket governor Tri Akkhradecha said activities to mark the event were intentionally low-key.

Religious rites, including alms-offering to monks, were held in Patong municipality, Laem Phet monastery, the offices of the Choeng Talay tambon administration organisation and at the Mai Khao cemetery.

The tambon Kamala administration organisation collaborated with the Japan-Phuket association to hold a remembrance ceremony.

Mr Tri added his voice to those urging people not to panic over the fortune teller's prediction, as he said the province had disaster preparedness strategies, warning systems and evacuation plans in place.

Paiboon Upattisaring, chief of the Phuket provincial administration organisation, said the Patong municipality held a Light Up Phuket ceremony on Patong Beach yesterday.

Residents and tourists lighted candles and placed them in the sand on the beach in memory of the victims of the 2004 catastrophe.

In Ranong, the Andaman Coastal Research Station for Development of Kasetsart University staged a ceremony at Ban Thapnuea on Prapas Beach in Suk Samran district. More than 30,000 sea bass and 30,000 Babylon shells were released into the sea off Prapas Beach as part of the event.

Eighty-nine people, including 10 university staff members, were killed when the 2004 tsunami hit Prapas Beach.

FarangRed · 27-12-2010, 11:45 AM

I actually post in the Phuket forum some photo's that very morning at my local beach

https://teakdoor.com/phuket-forum/843...i-victims.html

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