PHANGNGA, Thailand – Thousands of candles illuminated the Tsunami Memorial Park in Ban Nam Khem in Phang-nga on Thursday night as families gathered to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Thailand’s deadliest natural disaster that struck six Andaman coastal provinces on December 26, 2004.
The memorial site in Bang Muang subdistrict, Takua Pa, drew both Thai and international families who lost loved ones in the catastrophe. Mourners placed flowers and lit candles along the beach, with some writing messages of remembrance in the sand.
The devastation was particularly severe in Phang Nga province, where more than 3,000 people perished and many remain missing. Officials report that over 300 identified bodies still remain unclaimed, believed to be those of undocumented foreign workers.
The disaster claimed victims from 19 different nationalities who were visiting the Khao Lak area of Takua Pa district at the time. During the memorial, foreign families held informal gatherings to express gratitude to Thai people who helped search for their deceased relatives two decades ago.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Interior Minister Sabida Thaiseth, along with ASEAN officials, the National Disaster Management Center director, and UN representatives, observed a moment of silence before participating in a forum on ASEAN disaster preparedness. The discussion focused on raising awareness about natural disaster readiness in the region. (TNA)
