Pray for lost souls in South Asia
Posted on 12/30/2004 8:29:12 PM PST by killjoy
A Swedish woman and her daughter, survivors of the tsunami, were walking barefoot along a street in Phuket on Monday when a Thai woman stopped them.
"She took off her shoes and insisted I take them," the tourist said. "I tried to tell her I was all right, I was fortunate, I had not lost my family, but she insisted I take them. And then she bought a pair of shoes for my daughter. I tried to pay her but she would not take the money, even though I am sure she had much less than me."
There has been much talk of looting in the immediate aftermath of this disaster.
But the many anonymous acts of kindness, large and small, should also be recorded.
The Thai people, dealing with the worst natural disaster in their history, have overwhelmingly reached out, volunteered their services as translators, emergency workers, information officers, giving their time and often scant resources.
One Australian survivor spoke of a small Thai man on a water tower who saved several people by snatching them as they swept by him out to sea. With impossible strength, and at great personal risk, he dragged them from the torrent and certain death.
In the early hours of Monday, as survivors struggled into packed corridors at Wachira Hospital in Phuket Town, young Thais with language skills were immediately at hand, to explain the long lists in the hospital forecourt, shepherding dazed tourists and ensuring they had food and drink, which ordinary Thais were carrying in through the gate on foot.
Around midnight, a truck carrying a satellite dish with banks of free phones arrived so people could phone home.
On Tuesday in Khao Lak, Phang Nga Province, one of the worst hit areas, the roads swarmed with emergency service workers. And volunteers.
Phuket Town City Hall, a beautiful two-storey mansion with wide verandas, was the first makeshift camp for survivors with no clothes or place to stay.
As 1000 survivors from the Phi Phi Islands arrived, a line of 40 Thais stretched across the lawn, each holding up a country sign. "The tourists come to us and if they have a passport we can get them straight out of here," said Boonchai Sompolpong who was holding the Australia/New Zealand sign.
He runs tours for first-time tourists to Phuket and here he was, helping them leave as quickly as possible.
A Western diplomat said: "The Thais have been brilliant and we are in their debt."
Thais are like that, they are very sweet, generous people and you can't help but love them.
People looking for God in the midst of disaster need to read these accounts.
Events like these serve to strip us to our essence. Human beings have a strong capacity for good. God Bless the Thai.
Its pretty clear the Thai's are nice people who take pity on lost visitors. But also Good business people who know that their livlyhood relies on repeat business from these tourists.
Bump!
The Thais have been "brilliant" indeed.
That's exactly what I've been doing smartass, there's not much else we can do for them all except pray.
You're probably right. Strange how things are going, pretty soon nobody will want to visit any other country because of one reason or another.
It says a lot even with all the poverty, they are still the nicest people you will ever meet. I have met the most wonderful people in the world in both Thailand and Laos.
Very nice DTA. We thought 3000 was bad here but over a hundred thousand just boggels the mind.
bump
You're absolutely right. I spent a lot of time in Central and South America and a little in French Polynesia. When you get away from the Cities, people are basically the same. They're extremely poor, but kind, friendly, love to laugh, and are giving.
What a nice article. Thanks for posting and for the ping.And what a pic there, too.
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