Bangkok--Sep 19--BrandComm Consultants
Invitation to Attend the Launch Event, Press Conference & Exhibition of the Tsunami Memorial Design Competition — To Be Held Wednesday, 21 September 2005 — ESCAP Hall, United Nations Conference Center, Rajdamnern Avenue, Bangkok, Thailand
On 26 December 2004, giant seismic sea waves, known as ‘Tsunamis’, crashed against the shores of six resort provinces in Southern Thailand that face the Andaman Sea. In Thailand, the waves killed some 5,300 people of over 60 nationalities. In all the countries that border the Indian Ocean, the death toll reached over 280,000. Needless to say, the world was shocked by the magnitude of the devastation and destruction.
As a permanent tribute to those who lost their lives, and also as a monument to the living, to the friendship and the humanity that was demonstrated by all, The Government of Thailand has selected a site in Khao Lak — Lamroo National Park in Phang-Nga Province, one of the hardest hit areas in Thailand, to build the Tsunami Memorial.
The Tsunami Memorial, which will also feature a museum, will be created through a two-step international design competition. Stage I is open to professional architects, designers, artists and laypersons. A jury of prominent design professionals from Thailand and other countries will select finalists, who will then be invited to produce detailed designs in Stage II of the competition. A second jury will review these designs and recommend a design for submittal to the Government of Thailand in May 2006. The Council of Architects Thailand will then organize and coordinate the submission of the final design to the Thai Government with the objective of building an appropriate and interactive Tsunami memorial and museum.
Now after several months of planning, it has been decided that The Tsunami Memorial, which will also feature a museum, will be created through a two-step international design competition. Stage I is open to professional architects, designers, artists and laypersons. A jury of prominent design professionals from Thailand and other countries will select finalists, who will then be invited to produce detailed designs in Stage II of the competition. A second jury will review these designs and recommend a design for submittal to the Government of Thailand in May 2006.
The Council of Architects Thailand, appointed Advisor and Organiser of the competition, will then organize and coordinate the submission of the final design to the Thai Government with the objective of building an appropriate and interactive Tsunami memorial and museum.
In order to officially announce the Competition, the Tsunami Memorial Project Committee is organizing an Official Launch Event, Press Conference & Exhibition of the Tsunami Memorial Design Competition on Wednesday, 21 September 2005, from 13:30 — 16:00 hrs, at the ESCAP Hall level 2, United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand.
Presiding over the event will be Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop
Other luminaries who will deliver speeches will include:-
- Mrs. Uraiwan Thienthong
Minister of Culture
- Dr. Plodprasob Suraswadi,Chairman,
Sub-Committee for the Tsunami Memorial Project
- Mr. Anuwat Metheevibulwuth
Governor, Phang-Nga Province, Southern Thailand
- Mr. Mati Tungpanich
President, Council of Architects, Thailand
Attending the event will be senior representatives of the Thai Government and the Government of Phang-Nga Province, officials representing non-governmental agencies concerned or affected by the Tsunamis, prominent community and opinion leaders, foreign ambassadors representing countries directly affected by the Tsunamis as well as those that lost citizens in the disaster, leading architects, designers, artists, high ranking representatives of educational institutions, and local and international print and broadcast media.
We are therefore pleased to invite you and/or your representative to participate in the 21 September Launch Events. The agenda is attached for your reference.
In the shared spirit of optimism and renewal, I look forward to welcoming you at this important Launch Event of the Tsunami Memorial Design Competition, that will serve as a commemorative testimonial to all those who were affected by the tragic events of 26 December 2004.
Official Launch, Press Conference & Exhibition Agenda
Tsunami Memorial Design Competition
Date: Wednesday, 21 September 2005
Time: 13:30 — 16:00 hrs
Venue: ESCAP Hall, level 2, the United Nations Conference Center
Rajdamnern Avenue, Bangkok, Thailand
Agenda
13:30 hrs Guest & Media Registration
Distribution of Information/Press Kits
Exhibition “Tsunami Memory”
14:00 hrs Video presentation on “Tsunami Memory”
14:03 hrs Welcoming Address by MC
Introduction of Guest of Honour, VIP Guests/Speakers
- Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop
- Mrs. Uraiwan Thienthong
Minister of Culture
- Dr. Plodprasob Suraswadi
Vice Minister to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
President, Sub-Committee for the Tsunami Memorial Project
- Khunying Thipavadi Meksawan
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture
- Mr. Anuwat Metheevibulwuth
Governor, Phang-Nga Province, Southern Thailand
- Mr. Mati Tungpanich
President, Council of Architects Thailand
- Prof. Dr. Apinan Poshyananda
Director-General, Office of Contemporary Art & Culture, Ministry of Culture
Chairman, Organizing Committee of the Tsunami Memorial Design Competition
- Mr. Jedkamchorn Phromyothi
Member, Council of Architects Thailand
Chairman of the Working Committee for the Design Competition
Introduction of Ministers, Foreign Ambassadors & Representatives of International Organisations
14:10 hrs Opening speech by
Dr. Plodprasob Suraswadi
President, Sub-Committee for the Tsunami Memorial Project
14:20 hrs Keynote speech by
Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop
14:35 hrs Official launch of the Tsunami Memorial Design Competition and
handover of contract to the Council of Architects Thailand by
Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop
14:45 hrs Speeches by Members of the Sub-Committee for the Tsunami Memorial Project:
- Mrs. Uraiwan Thienthong
Minister of Culture
- Mr. Anuwat Metheevibulvuth
Governor, Phang-Nga Province, Southern Thailand
- Mr. Mati Tungpanich
President, Council of Architects Thailand
15:30 hrs Questions & Answers
16.00 hrs End of Press Conference
TSUNAMI MEMORIAL DESIGN COMPETITION
Council of Architects, Thailand
The Information Technology
and Communication Bldg.
Wisutkasat Road, Pranakorn,
Bangkok 10200 Thailand
www.tsunamimemorial.or.th
E-mail [email protected]
Fax +66 (0) 2280 8882
Please kindly confirm your attendance by contacting:
Mr. G.E. (Coke) Mead: mailto:coke@brandcomm-pr.com
Mr. Simon Nathan: mailto:simon@brandcomm-pr.com
BrandComm Consultants Company Limited
100/1 Vorasombat Bldg. 1RA FL.
Rama 9 Rd., Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310
T. +66 2 645-0171
F. +66 2 645-0170 End.