THAILAND: Thousands gather at memorial service in Pathum Thani to remember the victims and support survivors of the Japanese tsunami

Record ID: 465243

  • Title: THAILAND: Thousands gather at memorial service in Pathum Thani to remember the victims and support survivors of the Japanese tsunami
  • Date: 24th April 2011
  • Summary: SLATE INFORMATION
  • Embargoed: 9th May 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand, Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: International Relations,Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
  • Reuters ID: LVADTLZXK2T8UK8QX4MWO0ULVVN5
  • Story Text: Thousands gathered on Saturday (April 23) in Pathum Thani, central Thailand, to remember those who died and support those who survived in the Japanese tsunami over six weeks ago.
    A thousand Buddhist monks prayed at the Dhammakaya Temple, just north of Bangkok.
    "Today is the day that Thais, the Japanese and people from around the world join together for Japan. Everybody here has good intentions, wishing Japanese people to return to normality following the devastation, as soon as possible," said Dr. Thaniyo Bhikku, a Buddhist monk attending the memorial.
    The devastating impact of a tsunami is something that most Thais are painfully familiar with.
    During the December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, 8,212 people were killed or are still missing in Thailand alone.
    The total included around 2,200 foreign tourists, almost all of whom were vacationing on or around the southern island of Phuket, a region that had contributed as much as 40 percent of Thailand's annual tourism income.
    Saturday's commemoration was dominated by prayers and meditation.
    "The dead cannot receive money or items donated, but I believe they will receive goodwill from our hearts, according to the beliefs of Buddhism," said Piyawan Pengtham.
    Thailand and Japan have close ties after more than 120 years of cooperation. Around 45,000 Japanese people live in Thailand.
    Northwest Japan was worst hit by the tsunami generated by an 8.9 magnitude earthquake.
    The tsunami struck on March 11 and thousands remain missing.
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