Tsunami affected community Ban Nam Kem Phang Nga

(put sound on max to hear properly or go to http://news.prd.go.th/news_det... where sound is OK)Special Report for Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Friday 21 December 2007 & http://news.prd.go.th "All volunteers, are you there? Please check the radio. Calling for No. 1, 16. It's time to check the radio. This is No. 1, 16 from Ban Namkem, Soi Tsunami. The situation here is normal." The communication by mobile radio, which became portable equipment for each community safety volunteer at the small fishing village of Ban Namkem in Phang Nga, is a vital task the members place importance on, apart from their daily activity to earn a living. Every time when heading out to the open sea, Samran Ruck-kaew never forgot to take the communication radio with him. It is vital tool to inform others in case of any emergencies. The 2004 Tsunami has raised awareness for the hard-hit village of Ban Namkem in Thakuapa of Phang-Nga province. This led to the establishment of 'the Ban Namkem Community Volunteers to keep guard on any hazard to the community. ' The group comprise 40 members. Apart from assisting any community activities, one of their main tasks is to disseminate warning information received from authorities or report any hazard they see to the community, as well as to handle any situation, like assisting in evacuation, in case they need to. "Evacuation and warnings are our main responsibility. We are well prepared 24 hours a day. First we have to announce to inform the community that an earthquake has occurred. Please do not panic, but keep listening. In case of an actual warning of Tsunami we have to immediately announce and evacuate people to safer ground. We also have to guard against any burglaries." Despite today's complete recovery of the community which includes people's livelihood and careers, every time there is a strong earthquake or rumor, the villagers evacuate. It is an experience they learnt from the massive devastation three years ago. "We ran the simulation situation exercise once, and two natural evacuations when villagers and foreign workers cooperated well." The natural disaster taught the local community here to learn to live safely with nature. The early warning system, installed by the authorities, is one part of the protection for the community, but the dedicated work of these local volunteers, comfort the villagers to sleep soundly at night knowing that their own community members are taking turns guarding their own village for a safer community. "I'm proud to be part of the voluntary force for the community, to be able to assist my community members. I'm happy to do so. Some say to me are you crazy to do the work without pay, but I said I'm proud to contribute to my community."

Channel: News & Politics
Uploaded: December 21, 2007 at 7:25 am
Author: AndamanNews

Length: 03:01
Rating: 3.33
Views: 3346

Tags: Nga  Phang  Thailand  tsunami  

Video Comments