Bangkok--Dec 20--124 Communications
Royal Thai Government’s ‘One Year in Memory of Tsunami’ Ceremony Fully Ready for over 6,000 Honored Guests
International- standard Disaster Warning and People Evacuation Systems Successfully Tested
Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, chairman of the ‘One Year in Memory of Tsunami’ committee, announced today that all venues of the ‘One Year in Memory of Tsunami’ ceremony taking place on 26 December 2005 are fully ready with preparations including space adjustment and putting the finishing touches to the ceremonial procedures. This was accomplished with the help and support of all responsible organizations and parties.
All venues of this ceremony, including Bang Niang Beach in Phang-nga for the Interfaith Memorial Services taking place in the evening and the Tsunami Memorial foundation stone laying ceremony taking place in the afternoon at Khao Lak-Lam Roo National Park’s Haad Lek Beach, have been expanded to accommodate more local and foreign guests, tsunami victims’ next-of-kin and journalists from across the world.
So far, over 6,000 people have accepted the Thai government’s invitation to join this special ceremony with 1,200 being from abroad and 5,000 from the country itself. Foreign VIPs participating in the ceremony include Britain’s Deputy Foreign Secretary and Norway’s former Foreign Affairs Minister.
In order to attend the Tsunami Memorial foundation stone laying ceremony participants have to walk 10 to 15 minutes from the venue’s entrance to the site and during this walk they will enjoy cultural shows and exhibitions. Additionally, Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova has agreed to be the master of ceremony. In memory and honor of the deceased and in order to rejoice at the narrow escape of the survivors, an English poem will be read by Tilly Smith, the British girl who is called ‘Angel of the Beach’ for saving hundreds of people when the tsunami struck on 26 December 2004 while Patiwat Komkla will read a Thai one.
Deputy Prime Minister Suwat said: “In order to publicize internationally that Thailand is ready to efficiently cope with any future natural disasters, today we will simultaneously test the international-standard disaster warning system and evacuation plan at six Andaman coastal provinces including Phuket at Patong and Kamala beaches; Phang-nga at Bang Niang Beach; Krabi on Phi Phi Island; Trang at Yao Beach; Ranong at Baan Bang Bane School; and Satun at Rawai Beach Public Park. Currently, a total of 24 disaster warning towers have been erected at various locations in these six provinces.”
Furthermore, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat will preside over the opening of a press center at Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa which will be functioning during 16 — 27 December 2005 to help local and foreign journalists. To further facilitate the coverage of this special commemorative event two more media centers will be operating at Khao Lak Merlin Resort in Phang-nga and Khlong Jiraj Pier in Krabi during 25 — 27 December 2005.
For more information, please contact:
Tongchan Boonyapataro (Ms.)
Walaisamorn Bheungnoi (Ms.)
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