It's difficult to say: Small reminders of a tragedy not so long ago

During our recent trip to Thailand we travelled mainly around the islands on the west coast, on the Andaman Sea. The area was hit severely by the Tsunami on Boxing Day 2004 and when we arrived there was small reminders everywhere. In Ao Nang, a sleepy coastal resort in the Krabi province, it is hard to ever imagine the destruction they suffered. The only reason we would have ever known of its painful past was because of the Tsunami evacuation drill posters across the town. A subtle reminder on the beach,a washed up boat with Tsunami painted across, serves as a lonely memorial to the thousands which passed away.

In Koh Phi Phi there are more obvious signs, shops selling commemorative newspaper articles and a “Tsunami Memorial Park” indicated on the map,. We tried to visit the park but could not find it, once we asked at a local hotel we were pointed in the right direction but had previously missed it because of its hidden location.When we find it we discover that the memorial is little more than a bench or two and photos and candles dedicated to a few individuals, but nothing more to mark the lives of the many thousands more who were lost. In addition there are homages in some of the local shops and restaurants, thanking the people who saved their lives and livelihoods and remained to help rebuild this island.

Some of my photos below indicate the reminders we saw along the way, excuse the quality

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