We visited the areas of Thailand most affected by the tsunami in January of this year (2007). We catalogued much video footage, many pictures and many personal accounts of people affected directly and indirectly by the tsunami. But one thing that became most apparent to us above everything else during our visit is that the Thai people are not pitiful people, they are not not down on their knees, they are a proud people who are facing every day head on, and despite all the upheaval and despair of the last two years, Thailand is still "The Land Of Smiles" The Thai people touched our hearts and our minds and we salute them!

The police boat in this picture was on coastal patrol as the tsunami hit, the wave washed it one mile inland where it now lies as a lasting memorial to the awsome power of the wave, amazingly all the crew onboard the boat survived. Unfortunately many other boats were not so lucky and most of the local fishermens boats were destroyed along with their homes, families and their livelihoods.

Khao Lak was one of the most badly affected areas by the tsunami and unfortunately has been one of the least funded, with areas like Phuket getting the massive clean up campaigns in order to encourage tourists back to the area. Khoa Lak had to take a back seat and make its own way forward with minimal aid. Whilst we understand that Phuket once rebuilt would begin again to raise tourist revenue and rebuild the local economy it broke our hearts to listen to the Khao Lak locals who on top of everything else had to struggle to survive a failing local economy. We spoke to local shopkeepers who told us that "tourists just dont come here anymore" Whether that be through fear or through the fact that the area is still run down.

We spoke to many local people who had lost most if not all of their family in the tsunami, we visited orphanages full of children left with no parents, we met parents who had lost three or four children. The scale of the disaster cannot be imagined through reports or video clips, the tsunami ripped whole communities to pieces and they are still rebuilding themselves today, but with little aid and no immediate economy they are struggling. Ironically the majority of tourists coming to the area are coming to view the devastation left by the tsunami.

Two years on the memorials are still maintained, pictures are renewed and fresh flowers are placed.

The tree in the picture had many photos, mostly of westerners from Germany, Belgium and America. The 4 star hotel behind had its first floor wiped out. At the time we took this picture the hotel was occupied by a sprinkling of tourists. The beach in front of the hotel was deserted in peak season

Our time spent in Thailand was tearful and emotional and it brought home just how fortunate we are to be living in a stable economy in a wealthy western country (UK) It was humbling to see the squalor that the locals were having to endure. Before the tsunami Thailand was by no means a wealthy country, the Duang Prateep Foundation has been working in the slums of Thailand for many years now but expanded their focus after the tsunami hit to encompass those who had suffered directly and indirectly from its wrath.

We met many selfless people during our visit, people who gave up wealthy western lifestyles to reside in Thailand and help directly. People who contribute financially, spiritually, and emotionally to those in need. The human spirit is indeed very much alive and very strong amongst the volunteers and the locals and to visit Thailand is to be absorbed by that very strength of spirit. We hope by this website to raise funds, and raise awareness that two years on the tsunami is still affecting all generations but especially the children. Many of the children in the orphanage we visited are fearful of the coastline and cry when it rains, because they fear the tsunami is coming back. Through education and caring these children can face brighter futures than would have been possible without help from the "Duang Prateep Foundation"

So to that end we are hoping that we can in our own way make a difference to the future of the children in the orphanage in Khoa Lak, that is our initial aim, beyond that who knows, with your help maybe we can continue helping to rebuild the lives, and communities that were so tragically destroyed on December 26th 2004.

The picture to the left shows a grave in the Ban Nam Khem Memorial Park. Below the message is a picture of two young boys. The picture on the right shows a memorial park for unidentified victims of the tsunami, DNA samples are slowly identifying these victims but at the time of our visit there were hundreds of graves with numbers only, and none with names.

Steve Woodhouse