Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 4th November – 10th November 2019

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 4^th November – 10^th November 2019

It's Sunday morning, that means it's time for the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 4th November – 10th November 2019.

The long run is in the can and I find myself in Khao Lak. Tomorrow I will be on my way back to Koh Samui.

It's partially clouded this morning around Koh Samui and at 8.30am the current temperature is a very cool 23C. The morning may see a shower or even a thunderstorm.

In Khao Lak it's around 27C and cloudy to partially cloudy. Since yesterday there's no rain. The ocean is flat and the diving is improving at near by dive sites.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 4^th November – 10^th November 2019

Lamai beach, earlier this week, as seen from White Sand resort. This is near Hin Ta, Hin Yai. Nice and quiet and no waves. Pretty good for November.

Last week gave us a rather untypical November week. Plenty of sunshine and hardly any rain. Maximum temperature reached 33C. The lowest temperature during the night time didn't drop below 24C. A really nice November week indeed.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 4^th November – 10^th November 2019

The obligatory updated picture of Rua 817 in Khao Lak. It seems like I'm documenting the ever changing landscape at the boat. A new wall has been build around the boat. It's still an impressive monument of the 2004 tsunami.

Next week does also look good. The second November week of this year shows predicts some light showers from Wednesday onward. Nothing too serious though. Specifically not like the rainy season mode that November may have later this month.

Enjoy it while it lasts and if you're on the island, now is still a good time to go out and about.

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. 

Join me in a private dive trip with yours sincerely! 

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. 

You may also opt for a very special dinner experience at The Thai Experience. Behind closed doors, reservation only and a very enjoyable and well worthwhile way of spending an evening on Samui. Authentic Thai food and a great atmosphere. Can highly recommend this experience. 

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

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update;18th March 2019 – 24th March 2019

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update;18^th March 2019 – 24^th March 2019

Sunday morning and time for the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update;18th March 2019 – 24th March 2019. The long run has to wait until the end of the day, since I started teaching a PADI IDC today. You can find me in Khao Lak on Thailand's West coast.

It's partially cloudy today with a current temperature of 32C at 11am. It's going to get warmer, or hotter today! It feels already a lot warmer! 

Here in Khao Lak it's very similar, 32C at 11am under a partially cloudy sky.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update;18th March 2019 – 24th March 2019

The Namuang waterfall. Always worth a visit, although now it hasn't rained for six weeks. The water cascading down is not a lot at the moment. It's great to swim in the pond though. 

Lo and behold, last week we actually had some rain! Monday saw a cloudy and wet day. What a relief it was. The fun didn't last too long though and the rest of the week was a steamer again.

Maximum temperatures reached 35C and the lowest temperature measured last week was 24C. That must have been very early in the day.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update;18th March 2019 – 24th March 2019

Back in Khao Lak and that means a picture of the current state of the Rua 817. A wall is being build around the stranded boat. The tsunami memorial is still a very popular location in Khao Lak.

Next week should see some partially cloudy skies. There is a light chance of an occasional, tropical shower as well. Temperatures are rising gradually and we're closing in on April, the hottest month of the year.

Enjoy your time on the island and do go out and about. Explore, enjoy and see what Koh Samui has to offer.

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. 

You may also opt for a very special dinner experience at The Thai Experience. Behind closed doors, reservation only and a very enjoyable and well worthwhile way of spending an evening on Samui. Authentic Thai food and a great atmosphere. Can highly recommend this experience.

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

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 19th November – 25th November 2018

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 19^th November – 25^th November 2018 

Just past 10.40 on Sunday morning and here we are with the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 19th November – 25th November 2018.

No running this morning, since I was working at a half marathon in Surat Thani with the timing system. A very different point of view towards a race.

It's really nice today considering we're in the midst of the supposed rainy season. It's partially cloudy with a 30C temperature. It feels a lot warmer though, especially when the sun is out.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 19th November – 25th November 2018; View over Nathon beach from the Seatran pier.

Last week was a very good for November around Koh Samui. Plenty of sunny and partially cloudy days, except for Tuesday and parts of Wednesday. There was some hard rain on these two days. Other days during last week were just fine. Maximum temperatures ranged from 31C to 24C but it was very humid though.

Most of last week I was in Khao Lak for a few days of teaching and diving. The yearly Loi Kratong festival was celebrated as well when I was down there.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 19th November – 25th November 2018; My 'must' visit when in Khao Lak, the 813 boat, that got pushed on to land during the 2004 Tsunami. This time pictured during the Loi Kratong 2018 festival under the full moon.

The forecast for next week is predicting mixed weather. Tuesday may see a bit of rain and Wednesday and Thursday may be a bit more wet. The rest of the week may see occasional showers. Still very favorable for this time of the year.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 19th November – 25th November 2018; The 2018 Loi Krationg festival, which I celebrated for the fourth time in Khao Lak

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. 

You may also opt for a very special dinner experience at The Thai Experience. Behind closed doors, reservation only and a very enjoyable and well worthwhile way of spending an evening on Samui. Authentic Thai food and a great atmosphere. Can highly recommend this experience. 

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

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 29th October – 4th November 2018

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 29^th October – 4^th November 2018 

Sunday morning, time for the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 29th October – 4th November 2018. Sunday morning run done in Khao Lak but my calves still feel sore from last weeks run in Phuket. 4.5km up and down a steep hill!

It's partially cloudy but dry at the moment on Koh Samui. I do expect some rain later today though.

In Khao Lak it's also partially cloudy but not as warm. A nice 28C but it will heat up here. The daily afternoon rain seems to have vanished here and most days last week were dry

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 29th October – 4th November 2018; The sports track at Baan Namuang at the local Koh Samui stadium. The track is now under construction, so I'm not sure what the plan is. Will there be a new track and if so, what kind of surface will be used. Plenty of local Samui runners used this track for their training, but it's really far away from where I live. Wish it wouldn't be so far away and I would use it as well.

Last week on Koh Samui had maximum temperatures of 24C and the lowest Celsius we had was around 25C. Most days last week there was rain though, at some stage during the day and yesterday afternoon and early evening there was plenty of rain. The local hot spots saw some flash flooding and yesterday evening some areas had power cuts. For this time of the year, nothing unusual, although we can do without the power cuts.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 29th October – 4th November 2018; The 813 boat in Khao Lak. Every time I visit Khao Lak and teach a PADI IDC, I always drop by to see how things are with and around the boat. It has changed drastically over the years and once more, construction is going on. We'll see around March how things have panned out for this 'upgrade'. It's still is and hopefully will remain an amazing reminder of the 2004 tsunami.

The coming week can be very nice, almost untypical November nice, until around Thursday. From Thursday onward expect plenty of rain and possibly for a couple of hours on an end with short breaks. It looks like the rainy season is closing in.

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. 

You may also opt for a very special dinner experience at The Thai Experience. Behind closed doors, reservation only and a very enjoyable and well worthwhile way of spending an evening on Samui. Authentic Thai food and a great atmosphere. Can highly recommend this experience. 

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

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 26th February – 4th March 2018

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 26th February – 4th March 2018 

Sunday morning, running a race, box ticked and time for the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 26th February – 4th March 2018 .

It's noon on Koh Samui and it's a very nice day indeed, with plenty of sunshine and some partial cloud cover. Current temperature is 33C and it feels a lot warmer, closing in on hot!

This morning I was in Takua Pa in Phang Nga province, about half an hour away from Khao Lak. running a 7km race. It went well and I finished third in my age of 55 and up. There were some very fast runners and I am happy with my result.

In Khao Lak itself, the PADI IDC for February had been completed last week and yesterday the PADI IE was completed as well by my candidates. Tomorrow will see some more diving for instructor level specialty training.

We just had a shower here in Khao Lak with a current temperature of around 33C

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 26th February – 4th March 2018; Lovely sunset yesterday evening at Big Buddha. Picture taken by my wife Khun Tassanee.

Last week saw a lovely week, plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed around the island with each day having partially cloudy skies. Maximum temperature was 31C each day but this week I expect the temperatures slowly to start rising.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 26th February – 4th March 2018; Rua Tor 813 or Police boat 813 that was washed up on shore during the 2004 December Tsunami on boxing day. It has been made into a monument and every time I visit Khao Lak, I pay a visit to Rua Tor 813 as well and take at least one picture, to document changes over the years. Each year it changes a little bit and more construction near and around the monument can be observed each year.

The forecast for next week is looking good for the first part of the week. Come next Friday, we may see some thunderstorms and rain with the wind picking up as well. The rain should be tropical rain, possibly lots of rain in short bursts.

Enjoy your stay and especially until Friday, it should be nice and sunny, with maybe a shower on Wednesday.

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. 

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

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. 

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 30th October – 5th November, 2017

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 30^th October – 5^th November, 2017 

It's Sunday morning, once more and time for the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 30th October – 5th November, 2017. It's been a busy week and I've spent most of it in Khao Lak, with the PADI IDC finishing, the PADI IE being completes and PADI Instructor specialty diving done and dusted. Yesterday I arrived in Kamala, Phuket where I participated in the 1st Kamala mini marathon this morning an placed 5th in my age group.

First things first though and that's the current Sunday morning weather on Koh Samui. It's mostly cloudy with a current temp of 27.9C at 10am and a very strong wind blowing. Don't be surprised if later today there may a tropical shower or two. Fairly typical for this time of the year!

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 30th October – 5th November, 2017; The Plai Laem market, earlier last month. The green veggies on a string are sator, a Southern Thai veggie which I like a lot.

Last week saw plenty of clouds and a bit of wind, except for the night of 2nd to 3rd November when it rained all night long and the usual hot spots on Koh Samui had some flash flooding for a couple of hours, especially between 7am and 8am. Before noon the rain stopped though and the floods disappeared rather quickly. A fairly standard procedure this time of the year. As long as the rain doesn't last for more than a week, flash floods come and go quickly since the drainage systems aren't saturated.

Max temperatures during last week ranged from the usual 32-33C to 28C on the 2nd and 3rd.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 30th October – 5th November, 2017; Police patrol boat 813 in Khao Lak is still in the same spot as the Tsunami deposited it. More and more construction is going on around the monument.

The forecast for next week shows and predicts strong wind and plenty of rain on Monday to Tuesday night with a build up and phase out before and after. From Wednesday onward the wind settles in again although the occasional tropical showers will continue. As already mentioned, nothing unusual for this time of the year.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 30th October – 5th November, 2017; After the 1st mini marathon in Kamala on Phuket, where I ran into 5th spot in my age group. 9.5km in 46'40 or a 4'54 pace. One of the hilliest race routes a ever ran so far and to top it off, the finish was a 1km stretch on the beach. All for the price of one with no extra charge! Happy with my result, since Phuket always has some strong runner at the start line!

So, here we are, November has started and luckily the very strong storm that was predicted for the 2nd and 3rd November didn't happen, it all fizzled out in the end. Luckily enough. The rainy season has roared it's head though and do expect plenty of showers during this month with the occasional flood here and there. Hopefully scenes from last will stay away from us on our beloved island!

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.

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Boxing Day, Tsunami now twelve years ago

Boxing Day, Tsunami now twelve years ago

It's Boxing Day, Tsunami now twelve years ago when so many people perished after a 9.1 magnitude earthquake that set off the Indian Ocean tsunami. Centered off the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island, it was the world's third-largest earthquake since 1900. Approximately 230.000 have estimated to have been killed by this tsunami.

Boxing Day, Tsunami now twelve years ago for the Indian Ocean tsunami; The tsunami in full approach on the Thailand coast, twelve years ago today

The number of countries where people died in the tsunami. Indonesia suffered the most deaths (167,540), followed by Sri Lanka (35,322), India (16,269), Thailand (8,212), Somalia (289), Maldives (108), Malaysia (75), Myanmar (61) and Tanzania (13). Two each died in Bangladesh, Seychelles, South Africa and Yemen, and one died in Kenya.

A sad day to remember. RIP to all those that passed away.

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! Camille

Tsunami 2004, 11 years ago

Tsunami 2004, 11 years ago 

Today it's the memorial of the Tsunami 2004, 11 years ago. The 2004 tsunami, a massive natural event that took the live of approximately 230.000 people along the coastline of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Somalia.

The police boat, Rua Tor 812 that was swept inland in Khao Lak and has been left there. Over the years a tsunami memorial has been build around the Police patrol boat

A view over the Khao Lak beach, where many people perished, including and up to 2 kilometers inland

Phuket, Khao Lak and Takua Pa and all beaches and villages in-between were hit hard in Thailand.

It's amazing to see how Khao Lak has been build up again and how life goes on for the survivors, although they have been severely affected by the events 11 years ago.

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 7th November, 2015

Today's weather;

It's mostly cloudy over Koh Samui but it's dry and the sun is slowly breaking through and it should stay like this for the remainder of today. Current temp at 7am is 24C

In Khao Lak it's very similar, partially cloudy with plenty of blue spots in the sky, Current temp at 7am is 24C

Boats at Chaweng beach in the river going out to the ocean after the rain. Picture by Joe Clasby

Yesterday saw some rain around Koh Samui island but not as much as during previous days and the sun broke through at some rare moments as well. Max temp reached 29C

The International Tsunami Memorial building next to Rua 813 in Khao Lak

The forecast has improved a bit, over the next ten days we can expect more sunny moments and a lot less rain, Be prepared for an occasional tropical shower but nor for hard, long rain anymore. Enjoy, the weather looks a lot more pleasant now than it was during the past week.

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 8th April, 2015

Today's weather;

The good weather stretch keeps going around Koh Samui and this morning is no exception with a blue skies galore around the island. Current temp at 7am is already a whooping 29C.

Back in Khao Lak we also enjoy a nice blue sky and a morning temp at 7am of 25C

Yesterday we visited Takua Pa in Phang Nga province and check out my post about the traditional herbal shop we visited.

The current Khao Lak PADI IDC has been completed and today sees the start of the PADI IE.

Wat Plai Laem, the Bot

Yesterday saw once more a sunny and hot day around Koh Samui with a max temp of 33C

At the Tsunami memorial in Ban Nam Khem

The forecast didn't change much, the sunny days keep coming on until this Monday, Songkran day or Thai New Year, when there's a bit of rain and some clouds forecasted.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 2nd April, 2015

Today's weather;

It's a bit hazy this morning but a blue sky is shaping up over Koh Samui with some clouds over hanging over the ocean. Current tmep at 7am is 26C

Here in Khao Lak we also have a blue sky shaping up with some scattered and thin clouds in it. Current temp here at 7am is 26C and we had some rain again during the late afternoon.

The wide and white sandy Choengmon beach. One of our favorite beaches on the island

Yesterday saw a nice, sunny and warm day around Koh Samui with a max temp of 32.5C

A tsunami warning tower near the beach in Khao Lak. Still many small and bigger things or items still remind us of this event

The forecast is looking great, possibly some cloud cover tomorrow but all other days over the next seven should be nice and sunny with possibly a very light breeze.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 29th March, 2015

Today's weather;

The clouds have gone over Koh Samui and it looks like a new blue sky day is waking up. Current temp at 7am is 28C

We arrived safely in Khao Lak yesterday afternoon and here we have a straight blue sky and it looks like it will be a hot day here. Current temp at 7am is a nice and  cool 23.3C

Today the PADI IDC in Khao Lak will kick off.

A fishing boat cruising around Nathon harbor

Yesterday saw a cloudy but still warm day around Koh Samui with a max temp of 32C. In Khao Lak the max temp reached 36.6C yesterday!

Police Boat 813 in Khao Lak, beached after the Tsunami and the surroundings keep changing here with new buildings in the making

The forecast is looking good for the next seven days, the breeze is unfortunately leaving us but so are the clouds. Warm and sunny days are ahead of us!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

Camille

Baan Namuang Tsunami memorial offices near Takua Pa

In yesterday's blog about the 10 year memorial of the Boxing Day Tsunami, I promised a follow up story and here it is, about the Baan Namuang Tsunami memorial offices near Takau Pa.

Loads of files and assorted materials used for victim identification in a corner of the room

During my visit of the Baan Namuang cemetery, I noticed some abandoned buildings, a little bit set back from the burial grounds. Upon closer inspection, they were all open and some cats seemed to have made them their home. Some rooms had things stashed away in them and with a bit of imagination you could see what they were used for, back in the couple of years after the tsunami, when the building were in use.

Cabinets full of file folders

One small room had a lot of file holder cabinets and seemingly a lot of trash in one corner. Upon closer inspection, some of the cabinets were open and on displayed dozens of file holders, used during the victim identification and release process. Completed body release forms and victim identification forms were easily accessible.

A body release form

Some of the file folders that I checked contained hundreds of body release forms from both Thai and foreign nationals.

From the pile in the corner; an empty 'victim identification form', in the file folders you could find plenty of filled out and completed forms

It's a bit surprising that all this information is not better secured. For me the information is rather useless, with all due respect to the victims, but I can imagine that relatives of the victims are not too excited about this information being open to 'the public'.

From the pile in the corner; an identification tag for the opening ceremony 26th December 2006

The pile of materials in the corner contained many items, ranging from 'biohazard' stickers to flyers of the cemetery, blank victim id forms and lots more.

Some display poster still waiting for someone to look at them, explaining what is done in the buildings

It felt slightly disturbing to be able to access this information and I didn't push the option to invest much further since it's none of my business. I just hope that the local authorities take better care of this sensitive information and make it less publicly accessible in the near future.

RIP to all victims of the Boxing Day Tsunami 26th December 2004

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

Camille

Boxing Day Tsunami 10 years ago

My Boxing Day 10 years ago; I was in front of the TV with a light hangover when around noon the first reports on Thai news came in about an earthquake in Phuket and possibly two or three people dead. The rest unfolded fairly quickly although it took a few days before I found out about Khao Lak.

So grateful for my family that we were on the 'other' coast.

Visited Khao Lak for the first time together with my family two months after the tsunami and it was overwhelming.

RIP to all those that perished that day.

The Ban Nam Khem Tsunami memorial

This post is about the two tsunami memorials I visited during my recent stay at Khao Lak, respectively the Ban Nam Khem and the Ban Namuang memorials. near Takua Pa. The Khao Lak tsunami memorial monuments have been covered frequently by me as well as the April 2012 tsunami warning in Khao Lak when I was there.

The Ban Nam Khem Tsunami memorial

On a day off from my recent PADI IDC in Khao Lak I finally got around visiting the tsunami memorials in Ban Nam Khem and Ban Namuang. I heard a lot about them but never was able to visit and I was looking forward to see the memorials. With directions at hand, I took off.

Tiles at the wall of the Ban Nam Khem Tsunami memorial

The Ban Nam Khem memorial site has been very well kept in order and is impressive. A wall resembling a wave is opposite another wall, which is covered in tiles with the names of the countries of the tsunami victims and some also with names of individual victims.

The Ban Nam Khem Tsunami memorial

There is also a small fishing boat in a small pond that's part of the memorial. The boat was washed on land by the wave. The picture above shows the boat as seen through a whole in the 'wave' wall.

The whole surrounding of the memorial is peaceful and quiet, next to the ocean and there's also a small museum with a few pictures of the tsunami and some panels displaying help and relieve actions after the tsunami. All very impressive.

The entrance to the the Ban Namuang tsunami memorial 

The Ban Namuang tsunami memorial is a completely different story. Although many famous world leaders have visited this memorial, including former US president Bill Clinton among others, this memorial has been neglected for many years and has been fixed again for today's memorial. 

Part of the burial grounds at the Ban Namuang tsunami memorial 

After my visit I heard a few stories about money being funneled away from the intended purposes and I have a follow up story, soon to be published about what I found here. 

The 'wave' monument at the Ban Namuang tsunami memorial with a cleaner on the left

The Ban Namuang tsunami memorial is actually a cemetery for unidentified foreigners. It' still impressive, looking at the size of the burial field but although it was being cleaned and fixed up again, it still was in a bit of a disarray. Marker stones were all over the place and not always where they were supposed to be.

The Tsunami Victim identification and repatriation Center opposite the Ban Namuang cemetery

If in the neighborhood I can recommend visiting both places. Today they will be both very busy, especially at Ban Namuang where the official ceremony will take place.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 26th December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's 10 years ago to the date when the big Boxing day Tsunami wave hit Thailand among others, where some 5.000 people perished out of the approximate 228.000 total amount of people that died that day. Later today I will write something more about the 2004 Tsunami.

Back to Koh Samui, where there's a grey sky and rain is in the air. Everything is still wet from last nights rain. Current temp at 7am is 26C

The waves in Nathon and around the island have reduced in size

Yesterday we had a dry day with even some sun and blue skies around noon around the island. After dark, around 7pm, there was a short but very hard shower in Chaweng which blacked out Big C for a few moments. During the evening and night there was more hard rain and a storm. Max temp reached 31C

The tsunami wave 10 years ago

The forecast predicts a wet weekend but less wind. 

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 26th November, 2014

Today's weather;

It's cloudy over Koh Samui this morning with an occasional sun beam coming through. Current temp at 7am is 25.5C

In Khao Lak there's a thin cloud layer bit it looks like the sun may break through later. Current temp at 7am here is 24.2C

A Buddha statue at Wat Nara Charoen Suk in Lipa Noi

Yesterday saw a dry day around Samui with a max temp of 30.5C

In Khao Lak it remained almost dry, instead of the usual daily afternoon downpour, there were just a few drops. Max temp reached 32,5C

The new Tsunami memorial in Khao Lak

The forecast looks fairly good for this time of the year, cloudy skies, occasionally some sunshine and a shower is always near as well, but nothing too serious at the moment.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

 Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 20th November, 2014

Today's weather;

It's cloudy over Koh Samui this morning and light rain is expected although the afternoon may also see easing up on the cloud layers. Current temp at 7am is 26.1C

In Khao Lak we have a bit of a mixed bag, light cloud layers and blue spots dominate the sky here. Current temp at 7am is 24C

The Bot of Wat Bophud 

Yesterday saw rain during the morning and lots of it during the night around Samui. Max temp reached 30C

In Khao Lak we had a few moments of dark clouds gathering together during the afternoon but no rain for a change. Max temp reached 33.8C

My obligatory visit to Police boat 813 in Khao Lak. Every time I visit the site is more developed

The forecast is more of the same for the next seven days, the monsoon weather is gong to continue with mainly cloudy skies and showers spread out over the day.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

 Camille