PHUKET: One of the most urgent tasks of Phuket's new governor, Nisit Jansomwong, will be to quickly organise the way the Andaman coast commemorates the tenth anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Ambassadors from as many as 40 countries are still waiting to hear what the Thai government has planned to mark the enormously significant event, envoys told Phuketwan today.
With the focus on the Asian Beach Games in late November, officials in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga appear to have so far failed to co-ordinate a response to the tsunami anniversary, which is far more relevant.
''The Thai Government and the Tourism Ministry appear to be missing out on an opportunity to promote all the good things about Thailand,'' Phuketwan editor Alan Morison told a meeting at the Rotary Club of Patong Beach last night.
''If the government fails to act, perhaps Rotary along the Andaman coast can mark the event properly,'' Morison said. ''The 5400 victims of the disaster must be remembered.
''But so should the enormous outpouring of generosity, the heroism, the good deeds and the remarkable scientific achievement in identifying so many thousands of the victims.''
'Nurse Jenny' Rangsansarit from Phuket's Patong Hospital achieved national recognition for the way she coped after the tsunami struck Phuket in dealing with such a vast tragedy. Before December 26, 2004, she was expert in delivering babies but had never seen a dead body.
''The tsunami made Phuket a household name around the world and it really is time that the great deeds performed by a vast number of heroes and helpers were acknowledged with a Tsunami Medal by the Thai Government,'' Morison said.
''Many countries have documentary makers in Thailand right now, working on coverage of the tenth anniversary. Yet we haven't heard a peep from the government. This is a great opportunity to celebrate everything that is good about Thailand.
''There were scores of heroes and helpers who achieved wonders. It's time to tell the world about them.''
While the tsunami killed more people in and around Khao Lak and on Phi Phi, it was Phuket that became the centre of international attention before news came of the 160,000 deaths in Aceh and thousands more in India and Sri Lanka.
''The national government also needs to make plain its policy on guarding tourists against a second tsunami,'' Morison added today. ''Seaquakes are inevitable and the only certain protection for Phuket and the Andaman and its tourists comes from eternal vigilance.''
With tsunami signage in disrepair in some parts of the Andaman and with leading ambassadors in Bangkok scratching their heads about what is planned, Morison said it was time for the government to act before it was too late.
Ambassadors from as many as 40 countries are still waiting to hear what the Thai government has planned to mark the enormously significant event, envoys told Phuketwan today.
With the focus on the Asian Beach Games in late November, officials in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga appear to have so far failed to co-ordinate a response to the tsunami anniversary, which is far more relevant.
''The Thai Government and the Tourism Ministry appear to be missing out on an opportunity to promote all the good things about Thailand,'' Phuketwan editor Alan Morison told a meeting at the Rotary Club of Patong Beach last night.
''If the government fails to act, perhaps Rotary along the Andaman coast can mark the event properly,'' Morison said. ''The 5400 victims of the disaster must be remembered.
''But so should the enormous outpouring of generosity, the heroism, the good deeds and the remarkable scientific achievement in identifying so many thousands of the victims.''
'Nurse Jenny' Rangsansarit from Phuket's Patong Hospital achieved national recognition for the way she coped after the tsunami struck Phuket in dealing with such a vast tragedy. Before December 26, 2004, she was expert in delivering babies but had never seen a dead body.
''The tsunami made Phuket a household name around the world and it really is time that the great deeds performed by a vast number of heroes and helpers were acknowledged with a Tsunami Medal by the Thai Government,'' Morison said.
''Many countries have documentary makers in Thailand right now, working on coverage of the tenth anniversary. Yet we haven't heard a peep from the government. This is a great opportunity to celebrate everything that is good about Thailand.
''There were scores of heroes and helpers who achieved wonders. It's time to tell the world about them.''
While the tsunami killed more people in and around Khao Lak and on Phi Phi, it was Phuket that became the centre of international attention before news came of the 160,000 deaths in Aceh and thousands more in India and Sri Lanka.
''The national government also needs to make plain its policy on guarding tourists against a second tsunami,'' Morison added today. ''Seaquakes are inevitable and the only certain protection for Phuket and the Andaman and its tourists comes from eternal vigilance.''
With tsunami signage in disrepair in some parts of the Andaman and with leading ambassadors in Bangkok scratching their heads about what is planned, Morison said it was time for the government to act before it was too late.
It appears to be a typical Thai attitude to ignore the bad things that happened in the past and concentrate on increasing tourist revenue. The TAT would think that the tenth anniversary of the tsunami would have a negative effect on tourism, so as a consequence they will do nothing. As you say signage identifying escape routes has disappeared or cannot be read just goes to show the lack of care and thought. Surely they can't hope that such a disaster will be forgotten, because so many families will take their memories of 2004 to their graves.
Posted by Pete on October 1, 2014 12:22
Editor Comment:
We don't wear blinkers that block out everything except the negatives. The tsunami was both a tragedy and a triumph of the human spirit. It may be difficult for you to understand but we're suggesting that medals recognising the heroes and the helpers would actually be good for tourism. Thailand's reaction was amazing and deserving of recognition.