Thailand's resort province of Phuket plans to hold a tsunami remembrance ceremony on Dec 26, in memory of the victims killed in the 'Boxing Day' tsunami 6 years ago.
"A ceremony marking the 6th anniversary of the tsunami tragedy will be held on December 26, next Sunday. The event will be staged in three locations, with two along the Pa Tong and Kamala beachfront in Phuket's Katu district, the other near the city's tsunami memorial wall in Thalang," said Phuket City governor Tree Ackaradecha.
The Pa Tong waterfront will see religious services in the morning, while in the evening a candle-lit event 'Light UP Phuket' will be held, co-organised by Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT and Pa Tong Municipality.
The Phuket governor acknowledged rumours of tsunami-related quakes have been wide-spread lately, but dismissed them unconditionally, assuring the public authorities were well-prepared to issue timely alerts, and held evacuation exercises 1-2 times annually.
The 2004 tsunami claimed 5,395 lives, including 1,899 Thai nationals and 1,953 foreigners. 1,543 bodies were unidentified, while 8,457 people were wounded and 2,995 missing.