PHUKET: Marking the tsunami anniversary in Patong each year with the lighting of candles in the sand makes it easy to cry unseen in the dark.
As well as tears there were solemn speeches last night too, from Phuket's leaders, to commemorate the 10th anniversary.
If there is one legacy of the big wave on Phuket, it is of the sudden power of an unforseen event to alter the way we view the world.
Survivors are changed forever, knowing that life's habits can leave you in harm's way or keep you safe. Having a choice is sometimes denied us.
There was the extraordinary tale of the six-month-old boy in the Seychelles, plucked from his mothers arms by the onrush of water, who was found soon after hanging from the branch of a tree by his nappy.
There was the Thai couple from a fishing village who went on a shopping expedition that Sunday morning and returned to find their children and their children's grandparents had gone, along with the family home.
Chance is a remarkable thing.
While Patong in 2004 had a population probably more than 10 times that of Khao Lak, there were 10 times more deaths in Khao Lak than in Patong.
Statistics reveal that 12,000 Australians visited the Phuket region that December, along with 33,000 Swedes.
Yet in the aftermath of the tsunami, there were 543 Swedes among the dead and only 23 Australians.
This is probably because Swedes have a short Christmas holiday. They celebrate mostly on Christmas Eve. Many of them fly to celebrate in the Andaman warmth, and being nature lovers many chose Khao Lak as their preferred destination.
Australians, on the other hand, have a long holiday break in summer's heat and so often stay home for Christmas, heading away a bit later. Many of them prefer Patong to Khao Lak.
The patterns of life and habit and chance on the coast of Thailand and around the region will continue.
Perhaps the memories of the 2004 tsunami will burn on.
As well as tears there were solemn speeches last night too, from Phuket's leaders, to commemorate the 10th anniversary.
If there is one legacy of the big wave on Phuket, it is of the sudden power of an unforseen event to alter the way we view the world.
Survivors are changed forever, knowing that life's habits can leave you in harm's way or keep you safe. Having a choice is sometimes denied us.
There was the extraordinary tale of the six-month-old boy in the Seychelles, plucked from his mothers arms by the onrush of water, who was found soon after hanging from the branch of a tree by his nappy.
There was the Thai couple from a fishing village who went on a shopping expedition that Sunday morning and returned to find their children and their children's grandparents had gone, along with the family home.
Chance is a remarkable thing.
While Patong in 2004 had a population probably more than 10 times that of Khao Lak, there were 10 times more deaths in Khao Lak than in Patong.
Statistics reveal that 12,000 Australians visited the Phuket region that December, along with 33,000 Swedes.
Yet in the aftermath of the tsunami, there were 543 Swedes among the dead and only 23 Australians.
This is probably because Swedes have a short Christmas holiday. They celebrate mostly on Christmas Eve. Many of them fly to celebrate in the Andaman warmth, and being nature lovers many chose Khao Lak as their preferred destination.
Australians, on the other hand, have a long holiday break in summer's heat and so often stay home for Christmas, heading away a bit later. Many of them prefer Patong to Khao Lak.
The patterns of life and habit and chance on the coast of Thailand and around the region will continue.
Perhaps the memories of the 2004 tsunami will burn on.
