Thailand’s ministry of foreign affairs and other government agencies are hosting the Remembrance Ceremony ‘Ten Years on: Remembering the Indian Ocean Tsunami’ at the Police Boat T813 Tsunami Memorial, Takua Pa District, Phang Nga Province, from December 26 – 27, 2014.
The ministry of foreign affairs together with ministry of interior, ministry of defense, ministry of information and communication technology, ministry of culture, ministry of tourism and sports, and the Thai Red Cross will organise the remembrance ceremony on the 10th Anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami on December 26, 2004.
This event will be an opportunity to; Remember those who lost their lives and showing support to those who survived; Express appreciation to those who helped us in difficult times, and; Raise awareness of the public and the international community on effective early warning system and disaster preparedness.
The National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) will broadcast the ceremony on December 26, 2014. The official programme will start at 17.30 hrs presided by General Prayut Chan-o-cha, prime minister of Thailand, as chairman of the ceremony. The official programme includes observance of a moment of silence, wreath laying ceremony, VDO presentation of the restoration and development of local communities, remarks by Thai and foreign dignitaries, poetry reading and candlelight memorial, and performance by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. On December 27, 2014, foreign dignitaries will visit Ban Namkhem Community and Chai Pattana Village, which are the disaster-resilient community models.
Over 1,300 participants of Thai and foreign public, high level representatives from Thai Government, diplomatic corps and foreign representatives from countries directly affected by the tsunami in 2004 are expected to participate in the event.