Tsunami memorial design competition opens

BANGKOK: Registration for the competition to design the national tsunami memorial opened on September 15. The competition is open until November 15, and the five shortlisted proposals will be displayed on December 26, 2005 at Khao Lak Lamru National Park..

The 1.5 billion baht-project – the cost of which has been mired in controversy – is due for completion by December 2007.

Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Lipatapanlop said in Bangkok yesterday that the tsunami memorial will be sited at Khao Lak Lamru National Park.

The judging committee, comprising foreign and local artists and architects, has not yet been finalized. The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture will complete the selection of judges before December 13.

The architect of each shortlisted work will receive an award of 1 million baht.

In the second stage of the competition, the committee will select the winner on May 2, 2006.

The original idea for the memorial called for a 2-billion-baht high-tech dome off the beach at Bang Niang, a plan that was widely criticized as a waste of funds.

For more information go to www.tsunamimemorial.or.th or Tel: 02-2808882 or email info@tsunamimemorial.or.th