BTB
Around 6,000 people, who lost relatives in devastating tsunami on December 26 last year, have accepted Thailand’s offer for free airplane tickets and hotel accommodation to attend a year-after ceremony commemorating the disaster. The casualty list included 1200 foreigners.
Thailand would be paying an average of US$1220 per person invited to attend the memorial ceremonies. Thailand originally hoped to attract more than 10,000 relatives of victims and people who suffered injuries from the December 26 disaster.
Thailand is also planning to hold series of events in several southern provinces on the occasion of the one-year’s anniversary of the disaster. The three events, to be held on December 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 December 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 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.
Showing signs of recovery from devastating tsunami in December last year, tourism officials anticipate four million tourists in Phuket resort next year.
Accentuating on the recovery, the local office Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Suwalai Pinpradab, said Phuket saw 70,000 tourists in October with European visitors being major additions since November. More than 10,000 Korean tourists were also recorded entering the island during last month. She also pointed out positive factors with Australian airlines offering direct flights between Sydney and Phuket, which contribute to active tourism in the region.
Apart from assisting victims, the Thai government has worked upon rebuilding tourism and restores people’s lives in affected 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 December 26 anniversary.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects total arrivals on Phuket Island this year to be 40 per cent less than the 4.7 million tourists who visited it in 2004.
