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Published: February 27th 2006
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So The Spirit Can Relive
Kai and his sister, Kam, sit in front of their mother's casket. A Young Boy's Closure Over one year later and the remnants of the tsunami still are touching the lives of its victims. I found it odd when I was once again invited to attend a funeral (Buddhist style) for Kai's mother. Her remains had finally been matched through DNA to Kai and his father.
In January 0f 2005 I visited the Wat (Temple) Yan Yeaw in Takuapa to photograph where the victims' bodies were being kept. I walked around the temple grounds with my friends Christine Creel and Terry Snipe (may he rest in peace) appearing as though we were part of the media pool. It's interesting that I can venture into places with camera lenses as large as whiskey bottles without any confrontation by the security. "Must be a journalist" they may be thinking. And when they are able to get information to the outside world it can generate donations, so my presence was not questioned. While there I photographed the forensic scientists flown in from China to begin victim identification processing. And one year later, at Kai's mother's funeral, I realized that I was standing in the same building and in the same spot where I had
A Final Farewell
Kai watches as his mother's casket is readied for cremation photographed the scientists at work. This time, in their place, was the casket of Kai's mother. The irony was a bit overwhelming. Even though the masses of foreigners and media are gone, their lives still are being reminded of the tragedy over one year ago.
In the photo of the monks' hands, you can see they are passing a spindle of white string to each other. These monks are chanting at the funeral. Can you see the white string? It's call "
sai sin" in Thai. It is attached to the casket and is passed through each monk while they chant. Sai Sin is transferring the monks good words to Kai's mother while she lay in her casket. The string is never detached and is cremated with the body. One photo is showing Kai standing while they load the casket into the cremetor. Cremation of dead bodies is one of the major aspect of Buddhism, it allows the soul to quit the body in order to get to the next reincarnation.
A New Ghost Town I've included some photos of the nearby resort hotels along the Andaman Sea that are still vacant after the tsunami. They're like visiting
Good Words Passed On
Monks pass the "sai sin" at Kai's mother's funeral. Bodie, a goldrush ghost town outside Bridgeport, California. But, for those of you wishing to travel to Khao Lak for a holiday, let it be known that Khao Lak is up and running. Don't allow other websites or information tell you differently. I've been here for months and things are doing well, despite what a Phuket Gazette Editor says. They want the tourist dollars to themselves and will go through great lengths to keep it in their Province.
Bryan Adams: Eat Your Heart Out On a more happy note, I was invited to attend a local fundraiser for the orphanage that I visit nearly every day. We had a great time dancing, eating and having a couple of beers. It was held outside and both the local Thais and foreigners were invited. There is a group of young men at the camp that are now working as part of the orphanage staff. They, too, were victims of the tsunami and all of them had lost family members. They formed a band and practice daily at the orphanage, complete with electric guitars, drums, and a slew of amps. There isn't any kid in America that has a garage band
Bang Sak Resort - Thailand
Photo taken one year after tsunami. that wouldn't love to have the equipment these boys have save their money to buy. They performed at the fundraiser on this evening and we all had a lot of fun.
Chained Melody The monkey. I think I'll name him "Unlucky". He is chained to a tree (better than a cage, I suppose) and is a local family pet. He looks physically healthy, but then I'm no monkey expert. In any case, he's miserable. I wanted to set him free, but I wasn't sure if he'd be aggressive when I approached him. I asked the owner if he ever lets him roam free, and he replied with "chai" (yes). I hope he was telling the truth.
"Hey, Human, Get Off My Beach!" This crab on the sand is about the size of a dime. Getting a photo of him was hard as they are quite fast and will usually duck into his hole on the beach.
Khao Lak School School children lined up with their teacher at the Khao Lak School near where I am staying.
Something's Fishy Here A boatbuilder/fisherman takes string and forces it between the planks of the boat
Bang Sak Resort - Thailand
Photo taken one year after tsunami. hull. This helps seal the gaps. He later will cover the seams with a tarry substance and then perhaps even give the boat a fresh coat of paint...if he can afford it.
Sweet As An Orchid The little girl is "Bo". She is orphaned (her mother and father died in the tsunami) and has become one of my favorites. She's a doll. Bo loves to dance traditional Thai dance and is quite active with the other girls. Whenever I visit the orphanage, she positions herself so that I won't miss her when I pan the room to see who's there.
Enjoy the photos and hope to write more soon.
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jamie
non-member comment
who is terry snipe?