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24/12/14

2004 tsunami: Through the lens of a Thai beach resort

Thai family takes a break from searching for a missing family member at Khao Lak, Thailand following the tsunami

Jerry Redfern

People walk through the remains of a beach resort on Khao Lak several days after the December 26, 2004 tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia

Jerry Redfern

Photos of and messages about missing people line the wall of the information center at Khao Lak

Jerry Redfern

People looking for loved ones missing following the tsunami

Jerry Redfern

Manfred Achenbach, a Paramedic with German Air Rescue, talks with an injured man who was to be evacuated to Germany after the tsunami that hit Thailand

Jerry Redfern

Thai nurse cleans the wounds of a Thai man who was injured while working in the debris

Jerry Redfern

Thai search and rescue volunteer looks for corpses at Khao Lak

Jerry Redfern

Scenes of destruction

Jerry Redfern

Rescue volunteer operates a power shovel while looking for corpses following the tsunami

Jerry Redfern

The series of massive waves destroyed several beachfront resorts in the area, killing hundreds in this area alone

Jerry Redfern

Scenes of destruction

Jerry Redfern

Waste taken from various sites around the area and piled in a construction site near the beach in Patong as several people try to salvage anything usable

Jerry Redfern

Korean search and rescue volunteer looks for corpses at Khao Lak

Jerry Redfern

Scenes of destruction

Jerry Redfern

Thai volunteers unload dry ice from a delivery truck at Wat Bang Muang near Khao Lak. The ice will be used to slow the decomposition of the bodies of tsunami victims

Jerry Redfern

Corpses are set out in rows in front of Wat Bang Muang near Khao Lak

Jerry Redfern

Photos of tourist litter the beach of Khao Lak following the massive tsunami

Jerry Redfern

Tourists' shoes and a wallet litter the beach at Khao Lak, Thailand, following the December 26, 2004 tsunami

Jerry Redfern

Clothing and bed sheets litter the beach at Khao Lak, Thailand, following the December 26, 2004 tsunami

Jerry Redfern

A foreign tourist takes in the morning sun along Kata Beach on Phuket island and a breather from the rescue efforts. The December 26, 2004 tsunami killed thousands in Thailand, including thousands of foreign tourists. But that did not scare off all of the remaining visitors, many of whom stayed to volunteer in relief efforts

Jerry Redfern

By: Jerry Redfern

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<div class="article-wrap">
<div id="article-introduction">
<h1>2004 tsunami: Through the lens of a Thai beach resort</h1>
<h4>By: Jerry Redfern</h4>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="article-img-gallery" id="image-gallery"><div class="owl-carousel"><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_01.jpg' alt='Thai family takes a break from searching for a missing family member at Khao Lak, Thailand following the tsunami
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Thai family takes a break from searching for a missing family member at Khao Lak, Thailand following the tsunami</p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_02.jpg' alt='People walk through the remains of a beach resort on Khao Lak several days after the December 26, 2004 tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p><span dir="ltr">People walk through the remains of a beach resort on Khao Lak several days after the December 26, 2004 tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia</span></p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_03.jpg' alt='Photos of and messages about missing people line the wall of the information center at Khao Lak
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p><span dir="ltr">Photos of and messages about missing people line the wall of the information center at Khao Lak</span></p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_04.jpg' alt='People looking for loved ones missing following the tsunami
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p><span dir="ltr">People looking for loved ones missing following the tsunami</span></p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_05.jpg' alt='Manfred Achenbach, a Paramedic with German Air Rescue, talks with an injured man who was to be evacuated to Germany after the tsunami that hit Thailand
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p><span dir="ltr">Manfred Achenbach, a Paramedic with German Air Rescue, talks with an injured man who was to be evacuated to Germany after the tsunami that hit Thailand</span></p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_06.jpg' alt='Thai nurse cleans the wounds of a Thai man who was injured while working in the debris
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Thai nurse cleans the wounds of a Thai man who was injured while working in the debris</p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_07.jpg' alt='Thai search and rescue volunteer looks for corpses at Khao Lak 
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Thai search and rescue volunteer looks for corpses at Khao Lak </p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_08.jpg' alt='Scenes of destruction
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Scenes of destruction</p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_09.jpg' alt='Rescue volunteer operates a power shovel while  looking for corpses following the tsunami
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Rescue volunteer operates a power shovel while  looking for corpses following the tsunami</p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_10.jpg' alt='The series of massive waves destroyed several beachfront resorts in the area, killing hundreds in this area alone 
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>The series of massive waves destroyed several beachfront resorts in the area, killing hundreds in this area alone </p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_11.jpg' alt='Scenes of destruction
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Scenes of destruction</p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_12.jpg' alt='Waste taken from various sites around the area and piled in a construction site near the beach in Patong as several people try to salvage anything usable
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Waste taken from various sites around the area and piled in a construction site near the beach in Patong as several people try to salvage anything usable</p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_13.jpg' alt='Korean search and rescue volunteer looks for corpses at Khao Lak
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Korean search and rescue volunteer looks for corpses at Khao Lak</p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_14.jpg' alt='Scenes of destruction
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Scenes of destruction</p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_15.jpg' alt='Thai volunteers unload dry ice from a delivery truck at Wat Bang Muang near Khao Lak. The ice will be used to slow the decomposition of the bodies of tsunami victims
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Thai volunteers unload dry ice from a delivery truck at Wat Bang Muang near Khao Lak. The ice will be used to slow the decomposition of the bodies of tsunami victims</p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_16.jpg' alt='Corpses are set out in rows in front of Wat Bang Muang near Khao Lak
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Corpses are set out in rows in front of Wat Bang Muang near Khao Lak</p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_17.jpg' alt='Photos of tourist litter the beach of Khao Lak following the massive tsunami
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Photos of tourist litter the beach of Khao Lak following the massive tsunami</p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_18.jpg' alt='Tourists' shoes and a wallet litter the beach at Khao Lak, Thailand, following the December 26, 2004 tsunami 
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>Tourists' shoes and a wallet litter the beach at Khao Lak, Thailand, following the December 26, 2004 tsunami </p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_19.jpg' alt='Clothing and bed sheets litter the beach at Khao Lak, Thailand, following the December 26, 2004 tsunami
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p><span dir="ltr">Clothing and bed sheets litter the beach at Khao Lak, Thailand, following the December 26, 2004 tsunami</span></p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2004_tsunami_devastation_in_thailand_20.jpg' alt='A foreign tourist takes in the morning sun along Kata Beach on Phuket island and a breather from the rescue efforts. The December 26, 2004 tsunami killed thousands in Thailand, including thousands of foreign tourists. But that did not scare off all of the remaining visitors, many of whom stayed to volunteer in relief efforts 
' src='data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==' class='lazyload'><p>A foreign tourist takes in the morning sun along Kata Beach on Phuket island and a breather from the rescue efforts. The December 26, 2004 tsunami killed thousands in Thailand, including thousands of foreign tourists. But that did not scare off all of the remaining visitors, many of whom stayed to volunteer in relief efforts </p>
<p><em>Jerry Redfern</em></p></div></div></div>
<div id="article-body">
<p>Ten years ago, on 26 December 2004, the Earth’s crust shifted along a 1,300 km fault off the northern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The resulting earthquake was the third largest ever recorded. The follow-on tsunami killed about 280,000 people and remains one of the largest humanitarian disasters in recent history.</p>
<p>While the destruction in Thailand was comparatively smaller than in Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka, the wreckage was immense in both physical and human costs. The waves hit some of the most popular beach resorts at about 8am during the tourist peak season. Around 8,000 people were killed, including Thai nationals, migrant workers from Myanmar and foreign tourists.</p>
<p>The photos in this gallery show the devastation around Khao Lak, a high-end resort destination in Thailand before the waves hit and after it was hit. These photos are a reminder of how fragile human developments are in the face of catastrophic, unexpected natural disasters.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/disasters/multimedia/2004-tsunami-through-the-lens-of-a-thai-beach-resort.html"><em>This article has been produced by SciDev.Net's South-East Asia & Pacific desk.</em></a></p>

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<p>This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.scidev.net" target="_blank">SciDev.Net</a>. Read the <a href="https://www.scidev.net/global/multimedia/2004-tsunami-thai-beach-resort/" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
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Ten years ago, on 26 December 2004, the Earth’s crust shifted along a 1,300 km fault off the northern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The resulting earthquake was the third largest ever recorded. The follow-on tsunami killed about 280,000 people and remains one of the largest humanitarian disasters in recent history.

While the destruction in Thailand was comparatively smaller than in Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka, the wreckage was immense in both physical and human costs. The waves hit some of the most popular beach resorts at about 8am during the tourist peak season. Around 8,000 people were killed, including Thai nationals, migrant workers from Myanmar and foreign tourists.

The photos in this gallery show the devastation around Khao Lak, a high-end resort destination in Thailand before the waves hit and after it was hit. These photos are a reminder of how fragile human developments are in the face of catastrophic, unexpected natural disasters.

This article has been produced by SciDev.Net's South-East Asia & Pacific desk.

Bringing science & development together through news & analysis

24/12/14

2004 tsunami: Through the lens of a Thai beach resort

By: Jerry Redfern

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Bringing science & development together through news & analysis

24/12/14

2004 tsunami: Through the lens of a Thai beach resort

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