Patong nixes 100-day ceremonies

PHUKET: Patong Municipality has no plans to hold remembrance service on April 4 to mark the passing of 100 days since the tsunami, but services will take place in Kamala and at Wachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City.

Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukbal told the Gazette yesterday that he agreed with Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura, who has barred “ghost-laying” ceremonies after April 4 (see story here). K. Chairat noted that Patong had already hosted more than 20 such ceremonies, including ones for Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Taoists and members of other faiths.

“We probably won’t organize any more such events until next December 26 [the first anniversary of the tsunami]. At this time the Municipality should host fun and exciting events,” he said.

These will include the Gay Festival from April 7 to 10, Songkran Festival activities from April 13 to 15, and Phuket Bike “Week” on April 15 and 16, he added.

However, in Phuket City, Dr Smith Thammasaroj, the former Meteorological Department Director who is now in charge of setting up Thailand’s disaster warning system, will be at Wachira Phuket Hospital on Monday (April 4) to deliver a speech about tsunamis as part of the hospital’s 100-day activities.

He will explain how tsunamis are formed as well as what can be done to alleviate the damage they cause. The talk will take place in the meeting room of the Underwater Medical Science Building from 10 am to midday.

A religious ceremony starting at 7:30 am will be held on the recently-built open terrace in front of the hospital.

There will be many activities held at various places throughout the hospital during the day, including a tsunami exhibition, a tsunami photo contest, performances of folk songs and, for children, a tsunami drawing contest and a tsunami essay contest.

In Kamala, meanwhile, Gov Udomsak will lead a multi-faith merit-making ceremony for those who died in the tsunami at the Public Health Center tomorrow (April 3).

Starting at 8:30 am, there will be a religious ceremony for Sikhs, after which there will be religious ceremonies for Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Chinese.

The event will conclude with a lunch for all who take part.

For more information contact the Phuket Provincial Culture Office at Tel: 076-223617 or 076-223654.