Thailand to hold grand ceremonies in memory of tsunami

Thailand will hold series of events in several southern provinces ravaged by last year's tsunami on the occasion of the one year's anniversary of the unprecedented disaster.

The three events, to be held on Dec. 26, include Tsunami Victim Memorial Service, Tsunami Memorial Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony and Interfaith Memorial Service.

The Tsunami Victim Memorial Service will take place simultaneously in Phuket, Prangnga, Krabi and Trang provinces on the morning of Dec. 26. Tsunami Memorial Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony and Interfaith Memorial Service will take place in Prangnga later in the day.

Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, also chairman of the One Year in Memory of Tsunami Organization Committee, said the main objectives of the ceremony is to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Asian tsunami tragedy and to express sincere thanks to people who offered assistance to Thailand in the aftermath of the disaster.

"The event will also opportunely express our heartfelt gratitude for the compassion and humanity of the rescue workers who poured into the devastated area after the disaster struck and provide aid to Thai nationals and tourists alike," said Suwat.

Over the past 12 months, Thai government has made painstaking efforts to assist victims, rebuilding tourism and restore people's lives in disaster-stricken region as well as moving ahead in setting up tsunami early-warning system.

After the cabinet's approval of the installation of 62 warning towers in the six tsunami-affected provinces, 36 have been completed so far. The warning tower, about 16.5 meters high, consists of a radio signal receiver connected with satellite system. Data will be sent in from the National Disaster Warning Center in Nonthaburi province.

The government will test the warning system at the towers and carry out tsunami evacuation drill during the Dec. 26 anniversary.

The commemoration ceremony is expected to draw 6,200 participants from Thailand and overseas. About 1,200 foreign guests from 40 countries will fly in to attend the event.

The Thai government said it would offer financial support to one next-to-kin per tsunami victim's or missing person's family to participate in the event.

Governmental statistics showed that more than 5,300 people were killed in tidal waves in Thailand last year. Some 8,457 were injured and 2,991 were still missing.

Source: Xinhua