Yesterday commemorated the 19th year since the tragic tsunami hit Thailand. Sarawut Srisakukam, leading the Mai Khao Tambon Administrative Organisation, presided over a formal remembrance at the Wall of Remembrance in Mai Khao Cemetery. The ceremony united local authorities and community members, all bound by the memory of a life-altering catastrophe.
Srisakukam relayed a message from the Prime Minister, dedicated to National Disaster Prevention Day, coinciding with the tsunami’s anniversary. This day stands as a solemn call for disaster readiness and prevention. Attendees honored the lost lives with a minute of silence after the reading.
The ceremony emphasized unity and respect for the diverse victims. Religious rituals spanning Buddhist, Islamic, and Christian traditions underscored the shared grief beyond religious lines. Tributes were paid by laying garlands and flowers at the Tsunami Memorial Wall for victims from 44 affected countries.
Mai Khao Cemetery holds significance post-tsunami, serving as the site for Thailand Tsunami Victim Identification (TTVI) and organizing the repatriation of bodies to their families.
While the once-vibrant Light Up Phuket event at Patong Beach has waned, Mai Khao OrBorTor remains committed to hosting an annual tsunami memorial, keeping the memory alive, as reported by The Phuket News.
Phang Nga province, where thousands perished, also hosted a service at Tsunami Memorial Park in Baan Nam Khem, Takua Pa District. Baan Nam Khem bore a severe impact from the tsunami’s devastation.
These memorials solemnly honor lost lives and highlight survivors’ resilience post one of history’s deadliest natural disasters. They emphasize unity and preparedness in facing potential future calamities.
