As the 10^th Anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami is approaching on 26 December 2014, the Royal Thai Government is organizing a remembrance event entitled “Ten Years on: Remembering the Indian Ocean Tsunami” on 26-27 December 2014 at Khao Lak, Phang Nga Province, for the purpose of:

1. Remembering those who lost their lives and showing support to those who survived;
2. Expressing appreciation to those who helped us in difficult times;
3. Showing the regeneration of communities affected by the tsunami; and
4. Raising public awareness and confidence in Thailand’s effective early-warning systems and disaster preparedness.

The remembrance ceremony on 26 December will be marked by speeches and poetry reading, wreath laying, observance of silence, ending with candle-light memorial ceremony, while on 27 December there will be trips (for voluntary participation) to two local communities which have survived the tsunami and returned to normal life ever stronger.

Participants will include Thai nationals, individuals who survived the tragic event, relatives of those who lost their lives, the diplomatic corps and high-level representatives from the United Nations as well as from countries affected by the tragedy.

Media interested in covering the remembrance event can find more details in the “Information Note for Participants” (Attachment 1), and register themselves by completing the attached form (Attachment 2) and send it together with copies of their 1) passport, 2) press ID card, 3) letter of identification from their press agency, 4) list of filming and broadcasting equipment (as applied), to [email protected] or fax: +66-2-643-2643+66-2-643-2643, +66-2-643-5089+66-2-643-5089 from now until 20 December 2014.

Media coordinators for this event are Mr. Panote Preechyanut and Ms. Ploysiri Songkaew, tel: +66-2-643-5106+66-2-643-5106, email: [email protected]

A Media Center will be established at the remembrance site, the Police Boat T813 Tsunami Memorial, and also at Pullman Khao Lak Katiliya Resort & Villas, to provide broadcasting assistance and facilitation to the local and foreign media.