Remembrance events have a high turnout, good.
This Thursday will be the 20th anniversary of the devastating storm that claimed more than 5, 000 lives and wounded 8, 000 people in Thailand.
The 2004 storm, triggered by a 9.1-magnitude collapse off the coast of Sumatra on Dec 26, swept over hotels filled with holiday-makers and poor populations across six southern regions of Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Trang, Satun and Ranong along the Andaman coast.
The Tambon Mai Khao administrative organization ( TAO ) in Thalang district is holding celebrations to commemorate the occasion, with this year’s event expected to draw more participants, including survivors and their families, who are preparing to pay tribute to the lost loved ones.
Mai Khao TAO head Sarawut Srisakhookham said regional authorities hold a memory ceremony every year in memory of those who lost, with garlands being laid at the chapel wall.
Banners from 45 places, from where subjects of the horror came, are also displayed to recall the victims.
” While the number of individuals has fallen over the years, this year’s memory function, marking two years since the horror, is expected to attract a larger turnout”, he said.
People are more aware of the risks and look less worried about tsunamis because of the danger knowledge plan and the execution of a warning system, he said.
The tragedy provided the nation with a wake-up call to implement a disaster sensitive system. In its fallout, wave beacons were installed in the Andaman water, 130 notice towers built across the six regions and warning information made available in five languages: Thai, English, German, Japanese and Chinese.
Health confidence
State agencies take the hazard warning program seriously and make every effort to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again, according to Phuket chancellor Sophon Suwanrat.
Officials also work to educate the public on safety protocols during a tsunami warning, in addition to the new high-efficiency tsunami buoys that the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation ( DDPM) installed last month.
” We’re not taking any chances and we’re call of risks. People can be assured of the alert system which is frequently maintained, inspected and tested”, Mr Sophon said.
Thailand’s installation of two wave buoys, according to DDPM assistant director-general Saharat Wongsakulwiwat, will improve its surveillance system and provide proper warnings.
Every two decades, storm buoys are maintained in accordance with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s preservation guidelines.
At Station 23401 in the Indian Ocean and Station 23461 in the Andaman Sea, the DDPM has set up two new lighthouses.
Adul Chuthong, the lieutenant governor of Phuket, pleaded with everyone to support the operation of the storm warning system. The tracking program is a wise purchase because it can prevent harm and save lives, he said.
Phuket has 19 warning buildings scattered over Phuket itself and near islands, said Sopon Thongsai, commander of Phuket catastrophe prevention company.
The buildings may be repaired and refurbished, and three more will be built to strengthen the warning program, he said. Every day at 8am, the National Disaster Warning Centre tests the program.
Chalermsak Maneesri, president of Patong Municipality, said the alert system is in place, tests are conducted every year, and rescuers deployed around the clock.
Call to action
Sueksit Suwannaditsakul, chairman of the Southeastern section of the Thai Hotels Association, said individuals may have forgotten about the storm by presently as their target has turned to landslides, road safety, and floods which are more likely to happen than a storm.
” If there are concerns, it should be about the beach warning system and evacuation drills. Some hotels may take them for granted. He said annual drills should be conducted and evacuation signs maintained in good order.
Meanwhile, remembrance events will also be held in Ban Nam Khem fishing village in Phangnga’s Takua Pa district.
Another is also planned at a spot where Tor 813, a 60-tonne boat, was washed up and turned into a memorial. The boat, owned by the Marine Police Division, was washed about 1 kilometre off to sea by the huge wave.
Sophon: ‘ We’re not taking chances ‘
Sarawut: People are more aware
Sueksit: Some may have forgotten