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PHUKET: With the 10th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami nearing, a British brother and sister are appealing to find a Thai couple who helped them after the disaster that killed their mother.
Emily and Ben Willgrass were just children on December 26, 2004, when the big wave swept in as they holidayed in Patong, on Phuket's west coast.
It is believed their mother Louise had briefly left husband Nigel and their four children, aged between six and 16, while she went to go to buy suncream for a day on the beach.
She chose to shop that Sunday morning in a downstairs convenience store in beach road and was among more than 30 people caught in the shop.
Nigel Willgrass and the children didn't know that at the time, their immediate interest was in escaping the same wall of water.
Now Emily and Ben, with the important 10th anniversary nearing of the tsunami and 5400 deaths in Thailand, are looking for a Thai couple who helped them as they escaped the nightmare by fleeing from Phuket to Britain.
A decade on, they are asking: Please help us to find Upin and Pitchat.
Here's the message now on Facebook:
''Our names are Emily and Ben Willgrass and nearly 10 years ago on December 26, 2004 our family's life was changed forever when we were caught up in the Asian Tsunami in Phuket.
''On our journey to find high ground a Thai couple took us in and looked after us while our Dad went in search for our Mum who was missing. Tragically her body was found later that day.
''During the worst moment of our lives Upin and Pitchat were there for us and our family and we are trying to find them now.
''They let us stay with them until we could leave Phuket the following day, and as Phuket Airport was closed, drove us over 870km to Bangkok so we could fly back to England.
''Words cannot explain how thankful we are for the help and support they gave us, and the kindness they showed at a time when it was needed most will never be forgotten.
''We have not seen Upin and Pitchat since this day. We are coming to Phuket in a week (July 20) and are trying to find them now in the hope that we can meet them again and thank them for everything they did for us and our family.''
.. Can you help us?
.. Do you recognise Upin and Pitchat?
.. Do you know where they are?
.. We last saw them on high ground on Thawewong Road somewhere between Patong Beach and Paradise Beach
.. We think Upin and Pitchat are their nicknames.
.. Please tell them we are looking for them.
''Please share this in the hope that either Upin or Pitchat or someone who knows them will see this and let us know where they are.''
Many survivors and families of the victims are expected to visit Phuket and the neighboring province of Phang Nga, where most of the deaths and destruction occurred, leading up to the important tsunami anniversary.
If anyone has any information please contact Emily and Ben through atfindupinandpitchat@hotmail.com, Tweet #findupinandpitchat or go toFacebook (Ben Willgrass).
A memorial woodland was opened in the Brfitish country of Norwich last month for Louise Willgrass.
Emily and Ben Willgrass were just children on December 26, 2004, when the big wave swept in as they holidayed in Patong, on Phuket's west coast.
It is believed their mother Louise had briefly left husband Nigel and their four children, aged between six and 16, while she went to go to buy suncream for a day on the beach.
She chose to shop that Sunday morning in a downstairs convenience store in beach road and was among more than 30 people caught in the shop.
Nigel Willgrass and the children didn't know that at the time, their immediate interest was in escaping the same wall of water.
Now Emily and Ben, with the important 10th anniversary nearing of the tsunami and 5400 deaths in Thailand, are looking for a Thai couple who helped them as they escaped the nightmare by fleeing from Phuket to Britain.
A decade on, they are asking: Please help us to find Upin and Pitchat.
Here's the message now on Facebook:
''Our names are Emily and Ben Willgrass and nearly 10 years ago on December 26, 2004 our family's life was changed forever when we were caught up in the Asian Tsunami in Phuket.
''On our journey to find high ground a Thai couple took us in and looked after us while our Dad went in search for our Mum who was missing. Tragically her body was found later that day.
''During the worst moment of our lives Upin and Pitchat were there for us and our family and we are trying to find them now.
''They let us stay with them until we could leave Phuket the following day, and as Phuket Airport was closed, drove us over 870km to Bangkok so we could fly back to England.
''Words cannot explain how thankful we are for the help and support they gave us, and the kindness they showed at a time when it was needed most will never be forgotten.
''We have not seen Upin and Pitchat since this day. We are coming to Phuket in a week (July 20) and are trying to find them now in the hope that we can meet them again and thank them for everything they did for us and our family.''
.. Can you help us?
.. Do you recognise Upin and Pitchat?
.. Do you know where they are?
.. We last saw them on high ground on Thawewong Road somewhere between Patong Beach and Paradise Beach
.. We think Upin and Pitchat are their nicknames.
.. Please tell them we are looking for them.
''Please share this in the hope that either Upin or Pitchat or someone who knows them will see this and let us know where they are.''
Many survivors and families of the victims are expected to visit Phuket and the neighboring province of Phang Nga, where most of the deaths and destruction occurred, leading up to the important tsunami anniversary.
If anyone has any information please contact Emily and Ben through atfindupinandpitchat@hotmail.com, Tweet #findupinandpitchat or go toFacebook (Ben Willgrass).
A memorial woodland was opened in the Brfitish country of Norwich last month for Louise Willgrass.
Decade on and stories are still materializing,what a extraordinary act of kindness in a shocking tragedy.
Posted by slickmelb on July 15, 2014 16:50