Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago

Today the Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago. By now, 13 years ago, the two big tsunami waves made their destructive paths through many parts of Thailand's West coast.

I still clearly remember how I was watching tv with a light hangover and the first news came on that an earthquake was felt in Phuket and that maybe one person had died.

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago; The Phuket Tsunami memorial at a park in Kamala, which I visited twice, earlier this year.

How the news during that day would change. More and more devastating news slowly trickled through. A few hundred people dead was uttered within a few hours. Slowly the size and horror of what had happened started to settle in. 

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago; A wall as part of the Phuket tsunami monument at Kamala

It still took me two days to find out that Khao Lak was one of the hardest hit places in Thailand. Not having heard any news at all coming out of Khao Lak, my thought was that no news was good news. How wrong was I proven to be.

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago; A plaque commemorating the boxing day tsunami at Kamala's monument

The Kamala and Patong beaches were among the worst affected beaches on Phuket. An interesting read is this one by Mark Oberle, an American tourist during the Tsunami.

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago; Kamala beach earlier this year, nice and peaceful

Today many commemorative services are being held along Thailand's West coast. A day to remember for people who were affected by this event.
It wasn't until March 2005 when I visited Khao Lak for the first time and it still looked like a disaster area. Some pictures can be found under the tsunami label on this blog.

Boxing Day Tsunami is now 13 years ago; Boat 813 in Khao Lak just a month ago. Pushed on land for 3 km by the tsunami waves

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two.

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned. 

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Camille