Things to consider:
1) This may not have been the highest wave at that location; usually the first is not the highest
2) The tsunami was three times higher in Sumatra than at Khao Lak Thailand, where these pics are from
What gets me is that after the earthquake, Drudge reported that scientists were "concerned" about possible tsunamis. You'd think the mainstream media would have picked up on that tip and had cameras rolling from helicopters along all the beaches in Asia. That was my first thought when I saw that news report. A couple of hours later, and the coastal areas are wiped out by a "surprise" tsunami. Apparently, the media, and the governments, were asleep at the switch. There was enough warning, apparently. After all, it was on Drudge! Oughta be some good lawsuits come of this.