Families of victims mark 15th anniversary of tsunami
The 15th anniversary of the deadly tsunami was held at Baan Nam Kem Tsunami memorial park in remembrance of 230,000 victims with government agencies, local and foreigners participating in the event.
After a magnitude-9.1 earthquake triggered one of the largest Indian Ocean tsunamis on December 26, 2004, the western coastline of Thailand in the Phang-Nga province was washed away. Thousands lost their lives and property worth billions was destroyed.
The religious ceremony was held in the traditions of three religions -- Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity -- with merit-making activities for all victims. People who lost their beloved ones brought along their photos to the ceremony. They also brought flowers and wreaths to lay in front of the monument, and kept silence for a while to show their respects.
Niwan Jantarawong, a 43-year-old local woman, said that she is yet to yet over her loss despite the passage of time. She said she prepare foods and garlands on December 26 every year to make merit for the six people from her family who perished that day.
