The event, which began at 9am, brought together Thais and foreigners with a solemn remembrance of those who perished in the tsunami, and the laying of white flowers to honour their loss.
Mayor Chalermsak said the event was held to honour the victims of the tsunami, and to raise awareness of tsunami preparedness.
Mayor Chalermsak opened the ceremony by recalling the tragic events of Dec 26, 2004, when the tsunami caused unprecedented loss of life and property along the Andaman coast, with Patong Beach among the hardest-hit areas in Phuket
He highlighted the importance of using the lessons of that disaster to better prepare for future emergencies.
In addition to the efforts made in developing and maintaining the tsunami warning system, a key factor was fostering cooperation by strengthening ties between government, private organisations and the community to enhance resilience and emergency response capabilities, he said.
Also of key importance was building tourists’ confidence by promoting safety and readiness to reassure tourists and support sustainable tourism in the Andaman region, he added.
In his closing remarks, Mayor Chalermsak highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and prevention, urging all sectors to collaborate in building a safer future.
“We must work together to ensure that both residents and tourists can live with confidence along the Andaman coast,” he said.