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Pollution

Thailand Responds to Tsunami Disaster

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Thailand was ravaged by a devastating tsunami triggered by an earthquake off Sumatra, Indonesia, on December 26, 2004, affecting six provinces and causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The Thai government, led by Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapallop and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, quickly sprang into action to assess the situation and mobilize resources to help international and domestic visitors affected by the disaster. The government worked closely with private sector representatives, including the Thai Hotels Association, to provide assistance to those in need.

Key Takeaways:

  • The tsunami affected six Thai provinces: Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Trang, Satun, and Ranong, while all other parts of Thailand remained functioning as usual.
  • The Thai government arranged for the smooth transfer of visitors from the affected area to Bangkok through free airline services provided by THAI Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Orient Air, Phuket Air, and Nok Air.
  • The government offered free accommodation, food, and medical care to those affected, with information centers set up in Phuket, Krabi, and Don Muang Airports to help visitors establish contact with their friends and relatives.
  • The Royal Thai Embassy in different countries around the world served as an information center for local media, while the Thai Hotels Association coordinated with its members to provide accommodation for tourists in Bangkok and surrounding areas.
  • Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra issued a Certificate of Identification to international visitors who lost their passports, facilitating their departure from Thailand, with representatives of 30 countries providing aid and identification papers to their citizens.
  • The Tourist Police of Phuket and Krabi, assisted by regular police, set up a tourist police call centre reachable at 1155.
  • The government expressed its deepest condolences to the families, relatives, and friends of those affected, with the TAT Governor, Juthamas Siriwan, stating that TAT was doing everything in its power to assist the victims.

Statistics:

  • 6 Thai provinces affected by the tsunami: Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Trang, Satun, and Ranong.
  • 6 airlines providing free services to transfer visitors from the affected area to Bangkok.
  • 6 information centers set up in Phuket, Krabi, and Don Muang Airports.
  • 30 countries providing aid and identification papers to their citizens.
  • 4 countries (Germany, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands) having already sent aircraft to pick up their respective citizens.

Sources:

  • http://www.tourismthailand.org
  • http://www.asia-pulse.com
  • Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs hotline: +66 2644 7249, +66 2643 5000 Ext. 5056, 5055, 5501

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