5,395

5,395. That is a very large number and it can be hard to visualize.

But that is the number of confirmed deaths in Thailand due to the massive tsunami in 2004. And Thailand got off lucky. Indonesia alone had 130,000 deaths, and possibly up to 170,000. That is as if Monterey all of a sudden was gone. Thailand was less impacted due to better economic conditions, and that near the shore were concrete hotels, rather than bungalows.


Three months ago, memorials were held on the 10th anniversary of the tsunami. One, on Phuket Island, consisted of paper lanterns released into the air, and hundreds of candles placed in sand castles, as locals and tourists watched in silence.

The Boxing Day Tsunami was caused by a 9.0 Richter scale earthquake located in the Indian Ocean. Waves crashed onto the shores of Indonesia, Thailand, India, Myanmar, and rippled across the world. This tsunami is the greatest catastrophe since 1976, and the worst tsunami in human history.

Before and After arial view of the Khao Lak coastline

Today, there are many changes in Thailand. In every hotel room, there are emergency flashlights, while hazard signs show the actions to take in case. Thailand is now much better prepared, with a massive tsunami warning system. They should have at least three hours warning now, if the epicenter is in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and with those hours have time to evacuate. The southern infrastructure is stronger, and tourism has returned.





Image Sources:
www.worldatlas.com
www.iwallhd.com
www.trekearth.com
www.surfersvillage.com 
Text Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_the_2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake_on_Thailand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake_and_tsunami
https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-2004-indian-ocean-tsunami
http://mashable.com/2014/12/26/tsunami-10-year-anniversary/