The Thai government dedicated Dec 26 as National Disaster Prevention Day after the tsunami in 2004. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation was also established in the aftermath of the disaster.
Official government estimates mark 5,078 people killed by the tsunami, with a further 8,457 injured and 3,716 missing, presumed dead. While confirmed deaths in Phuket were only 259, another 700 people remained listed as missing.
Phang Nga, however, bore the brunt of the tsunami, with 4,163 people confirmed dead and another 2,113 recorded as missing. Records show that of those killed in Phang Nga by the tsunami 2,213 were foreigners – mostly tourists.
At Bang Niang Beach, Khao Lak, which is backed by flat land, bodies were found as far as two kilometres inland. The waves also lifted and carried the 24.6-metre Marine Police patrol boat Tor 813, the Buretpadungkit, 800 metres inland.
The 2004 Asian Tsunami claimed an estimated 230,000 to 280,000 lives – in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia and even Somalia – with millions more directly and indirectly affected by the waves.
MEMORIES
Weerawit Kruesombat, the well-known President of the Patong Entertainment Association (PEBA), told The Phuket News this week, “Patong was severely affected that day. The water was as high as a three-story building.
“The shock was overwhelming, and many were unprepared for what was happening. We did not even know the word ‘tsunami’ at the time because, as far as I can remember, such an event had never happened [in Phuket] before,” he said.
“The destruction was unimaginable. Luckily, my house on higher ground escaped, but the streets below were devastated,” Mr Weerawit recalled.
Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri explained to The Phuket News how he narrowly escaped the waves, which struck Patong at about 10:40am.
Mr Chalermsak was drinking coffee at Kalim Beach when the sea suddenly retreated. Sensing danger, he quickly fled on his motorcycle, racing away from the beachfront. He reached the safety of higher ground and was able to check on his family.
“The devastation I saw later was beyond words, overturned cars, scattered debris and so many lives lost,” Mr Chalermsak said.
Khun Bo, who still sells drinks and snacks along the Patong beachfront, recounted his experience that day.
“That morning, my wife heard strange sounds and vibrations near our house, but we thought it was just construction. I dropped her off in the city and headed to work,” he said, remembering the shimmy the island felt at about 8:30am.
“When I arrived, I saw the sea recede so far back that the beach was completely dry. There were fish, crabs and even lobsters stranded on the sand. Locals rushed to collect them in baskets,” Khun Bo remembered.
“Minutes later, the water returned, slowly at first, but then it surged with incredible force. I managed to survive the first wave, grabbing onto something for support. But the second wave was stronger and faster. I climbed a tree, clinging to it for half a day,” he said.
By most eyewitness accounts, there there three main waves that struck Patong.
While Khun Bo survived, the disaster took everything from him. “I lost my business, my jet-ski, everything. The compensation from the government was small, but private charities helped me through. Still, the help wasn’t enough to cover the losses,” Khun Bo noted.
ARE WE READY?
Mayor Chalermsak is confident in the tsunami-warning measures in place, with 13 tsunami-warning towers along Phuket’s west coast, and more elsewhere on the island, and Thailand connected to a tsunami-detection array of buoys in the Bay of Bengal, with one more just 340km northwest of Phuket.
The Patong area alone has three warning towers spread along the beachfront, Mayor Chalermsak explained. “One is in front of the police box [at the beach end of Bangla Rd], the second one is in front of the Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa and the third is at Baan Kalim School,” he said.
“These towers provide announcements in multiple languages, including Thai, English, German, Japanese and Chinese, to ensure all visitors and locals can respond accordingly,” he added.
Mr Weerawit noted that the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation tests the warning tower sirens every Wednesday. “They play the national anthem at 8am to ensure the sirens are functioning,” he said.
“Additionally, Thailand’s two tsunami-warning buoys are strategically located, one over 1,000km and another 300km away. These provide critical warnings, allowing 2.5 hours to evacuate if detected by the first buoy and 45 minutes by the second,” Mr Weerawit explained.
“Evacuation drills are held twice a year, with a strong focus on educating students and schools. Each year, we actively train and prepare for tsunami scenarios to ensure readiness,” he added.
While acknowledging these measures, Mr Weerawit emphasised the importance of community collaboration. “Back in 2004, there was little awareness of what a tsunami was. Now, schools teach children evacuation protocols and residents participate in drills,” he said.
Mayor Chalermsak also noted, “Today, the area boasts well-trained rescue teams equipped with the latest developments in technology, including tsunami buoys and towers designed to warn residents and tourists alike.”
DOUBTS
However, Khun Bo, who spends most of his time on the frontline along the shore, expressed mixed feelings.
“Phuket is still not fully prepared. Sometimes the tsunami buoys work, other times they don’t. We need more warning systems, especially inland. Better evacuation plans are essential to prevent overcrowding and confusion,” he said, recalling the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami.
“The local government should engage more with locals to improve their plans,” Khun Bo added.
Khun Tun, now a security guard at Kalim Beach, was a teenager enjoying a day at the beach when the tsunami struck. “I saw the water rushing back to shore and I ran to the Graceland resort, which was still under construction at the time, and climbed to the higher floors to escape.
“There were so many lives lost. It was devastating. But I’ve seen improvements in Patong’s disaster prevention since then. The warning speakers are tested every Wednesday, and they’re loud and clear,” he said.
“I think Patong is safer now than before,” Khun Tun added.