Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TSUNAMI EARLY WARNING SYSTEM
On the morning of 26 December 2004, an earthquake off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra sent
enormous waves crashing against much of Thailand's Andaman coast, claiming around 8000 lives and causing
millions of dollars of damage to homes and businesses. Over 10 years have passed; life and business on this
stretch of the Andaman coast has bounced back and in many ways it is better than ever. Yet, the incident hasn't
been forgotten. In fact, it's inspired action to prevent a repeat disaster.
Most significantly, in 2005 Thailand officially inaugurated a national disaster warning system, which was cre-
ated in response to the country's lack of preparedness in 2004. The Bangkok-based centre anticipates that a
tsunami warning can be issued within 30 minutes of the event being detected by existing international systems.
The public will be warned via the nationwide radio network, Channel 5 army TV network, the state-operated
TV pool and SMS messages. For non-Thai speakers, the centre has installed warning towers along the high-risk
beachfront areas that will broadcast announcements in various languages accompanied by flashing lights. The
call centre also handles questions and tips from the public regarding potential or unfolding disasters.
As far as collective memory goes, the moving
Tsunami Memorial Park
in Baan Nam Kem, a squid fishing
village that was nearly wiped off the map, was built to memorialise locals and tourists alike who lost their lives.
The wave-shaped memorial is just north of Khao Lak, where a police boat is still moored inland where it was
deposited by the wave. The more official entrance way and memorial displays augment what for years was an
unofficial pilgrimage site for those who came to pay their respects and grasp nature's fury.
Eating
Patong has stacks of restaurants and the trick is to steer around the abundant watered-
down Thai and poorly executed Western kitchens. The most glamorous restaurants are in
a little huddle above the cliffs on the northern edge of town.
Bargain seafood and noodle stalls pop up across town at night - try the lanes on and
GOOGLE MAP
(Th Rat
4pm-midnight)
once the sun drops.
Uthit; meals 100-200B;
Chicken Rice Briley
( 0 7634 4079; Patong Food Park, Th Rat Uthit; meals 35-45B; 9am-3pm)
The only diner in the
Patong Food Park to offer sustenance when the sun shines. Steamed chicken breast is
served on a bed of rice with a bowl of chicken broth with crumbled bits of meat and
bone, and roast pork. Dip in the fantastic chilli sauce. There's a reason it's forever packed
with locals.
THAI
$
Mengrai Seafood
OFFLINE MAP
SEAFOOD
$$
GOOGLE MAP
