I was on the day shift in Australia and as I work in TV broadcasting I was seeing the news reports coming in almost immediately. Was hoping for a quiet day of watching cricket. The issue with people standing and watching what happened, is that we have lost our collective knowledge regarding nature.
First comment! That was rather poignant Joe, fair dues to you for covering it & reminding us all about it as I'd completely forgotten this had happened 20 years ago. Have an amazing Christmas & all the best for 2025 my friend 🤗🎅 See you at my live premiere tonight at 9pm if you've nothing better to do! 🤣
In 2001 I spent a week in Khao Lak, it was pretty quiet place to be, got dive certified there and really fell in love with it so waking up to the news of the Tsunami broke my heart. Here in the States, not many people had ever heard of Khao Lak but so many were shocked by the devastation and loss of life in such an otherwise tranquil place. I got in touch with our local Red Cross chapter to see what I could do and include our community in helping in some small way. I organized a Thai dinner at our local Community center and as usual our community rose to the occasion. Our local businesses donated the money for the food, volunteers came and helped with the cooking, serving and clean up. We fed 150 people Masaman curry, cucumber salad, Jasmine rice and a mango shortcake with homemade coconut ice cream as well as sold Singha beer. We raised 2500.00 USD for the Red Cross that night that went directly to the efforts in Khao Lak, a drop in the bucket in the big scheme of things but every bit always helps. I brought my family back there in 2008, spent a week there and we were pleasantly surprised by how much had been rebuilt, sadly the bungalow operation I had stayed at previously had not been rebuilt and word was it wasn't going to be but all in all I was happy to see the progress in that special place. Thank you for your reminder and well-done tribute to all those who lost their lives that horrific day.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It’s incredible to hear how your community came together to make a meaningful difference, even from so far away. The Thai dinner fundraiser sounds like a great idea and just shows what can be done if minds are focused on something. I’m sure the $2,500 you raised made a huge impact.
I was in Salalah in southern Oman at the Hilton hotel and it was hit by the tail end of the tsunami. The winds and waves hitting the hotel were very frightening all night long. The following week I flew emirates airline holidays to Phuket (pre booked) to the Laguna resort there. It was very quiet and surreal for the 10 days I was there. The locals were devastated yet rebuilt their small businesses back. 🙏🏻
I was in the same place 2 weeks ago (Ban Nam Khem). Sadly enough many Germans did not survive. Still most people who died, were Thai. Pitty this is kept unmentioned. If you looked more closely to the Thai nameplates, you can see that complete families have been surprised by the water. 🙏
I was on 26th Dec. 2004 together with my Thai wife at her family in Phetchabun. On 28th Dec. 2004 we wanted to fly to Phuket and meet friends. But then the Tsunami happened. 🙏🙏😢😢😢
There was in excess of 230,000 lives lost to that one tsunami. It may be 20 years on but I still can't fathom such a hug loss of life😥
I know, it’s desperately sad
This was one of your best videos. Thank you so much, Happy holidays xxx.
Thank you, to you too
We were on the beach in Phuket that morning just an hour before, lucky I was called back to Bangkok because of work. Very nice video Joe.
Wow, that is incredibly lucky!
Happy Christmas Joe! I am going to try and watch all the epic post for you today 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Merry Christmas to you too. You keep watching and I will keep posting!!
I was on the day shift in Australia and as I work in TV broadcasting I was seeing the news reports coming in almost immediately. Was hoping for a quiet day of watching cricket. The issue with people standing and watching what happened, is that we have lost our collective knowledge regarding nature.
That is true, we lost it and then we rely on others to sense the danger! crazy really.
2004 12 26 Is challenging day 😢 From 🇱🇰
It is so sad :(
First comment! That was rather poignant Joe, fair dues to you for covering it & reminding us all about it as I'd completely forgotten this had happened 20 years ago.
Have an amazing Christmas & all the best for 2025 my friend 🤗🎅
See you at my live premiere tonight at 9pm if you've nothing better to do! 🤣
yeah, it is a while ago now Rue, but I still remember flicking the news on and seeing it. Important to remember these things I think
😥🙏 Hi Joe, you would be correct that if one person started running, the rest would surely have follow. May their souls rest in peace.
Exactly Panna! Group mentality is strange sometimes.
In 2001 I spent a week in Khao Lak, it was pretty quiet place to be, got dive certified there and really fell in love with it so waking up to the news of the Tsunami broke my heart. Here in the States, not many people had ever heard of Khao Lak but so many were shocked by the devastation and loss of life in such an otherwise tranquil place. I got in touch with our local Red Cross chapter to see what I could do and include our community in helping in some small way. I organized a Thai dinner at our local Community center and as usual our community rose to the occasion. Our local businesses donated the money for the food, volunteers came and helped with the cooking, serving and clean up. We fed 150 people Masaman curry, cucumber salad, Jasmine rice and a mango shortcake with homemade coconut ice cream as well as sold Singha beer. We raised 2500.00 USD for the Red Cross that night that went directly to the efforts in Khao Lak, a drop in the bucket in the big scheme of things but every bit always helps.
I brought my family back there in 2008, spent a week there and we were pleasantly surprised by how much had been rebuilt, sadly the bungalow operation I had stayed at previously had not been rebuilt and word was it wasn't going to be but all in all I was happy to see the progress in that special place. Thank you for your reminder and well-done tribute to all those who lost their lives that horrific day.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It’s incredible to hear how your community came together to make a meaningful difference, even from so far away. The Thai dinner fundraiser sounds like a great idea and just shows what can be done if minds are focused on something. I’m sure the $2,500 you raised made a huge impact.
I was in Salalah in southern Oman at the Hilton hotel and it was hit by the tail end of the tsunami. The winds and waves hitting the hotel were very frightening all night long. The following week I flew emirates airline holidays to Phuket (pre booked) to the Laguna resort there. It was very quiet and surreal for the 10 days I was there. The locals were devastated yet rebuilt their small businesses back. 🙏🏻
I imagine that was incredibly surreal and moving. it is incredible how things bounce back after such devastation
🥳
very sad
Tell you what, everyone now knows when the next time the ocean recedes , they will know what to do. Merry Christmas to you and your family 💓
Exactly - You would hope so anyway! Merry Christmas to you and your family too
I was in the same place 2 weeks ago (Ban Nam Khem). Sadly enough many Germans did not survive.
Still most people who died, were Thai. Pitty this is kept unmentioned. If you looked more closely to the Thai nameplates, you can see that complete families have been surprised by the water. 🙏
sure, I just happened to film at that point where there were a lot of Germans, I noticed the others with the camera off. It is terribly sad
I was on 26th Dec. 2004 together with my Thai wife at her family in Phetchabun. On 28th Dec. 2004 we wanted to fly to Phuket and meet friends. But then the Tsunami happened. 🙏🙏😢😢😢
:( it is so sad!
That thumbnail. 😆 🤔
🌊