For nearly two decades, Banlue Choosin, 59, has been monitoring the seas around Thailand’s southern Phang Nga province for any signs of abnormality. As a former fisherman, his deep knowledge and experience make him a trusted figure in Ban Nam Khem village, where he helps keep the community safe after regional earthquakes.
Ban Nam Khem was among the hardest-hit areas during the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off Indonesia’s Aceh coast, the disaster claimed about 230,000 lives across multiple countries, including 5,400 in Thailand’s Phang Nga province. The tragedy also took the life of Banlue’s mother-in-law.
“It was like a very, very tall wall of mist, like dust covering the whole area. It filled up the sky as I watched from here,” Banlue recalls.
In the aftermath, Ban Nam Khem developed a robust local risk mitigation system to better prepare for future tsunamis. The community now has concrete shelters, two tsunami alarm systems, and marked evacuation routes. Banlue plays a vital role in this system, volunteering to monitor the sea after any tremor and report to provincial authorities.
The village’s 2,000 residents are advised to maintain a “grab bag” with essential documents for quick evacuation. Systems are tested regularly — every Wednesday, the tsunami alarms broadcast the national anthem to ensure readiness.
As Banlue approaches his 60th birthday this Christmas, he remains confident in his community’s preparedness. “I’ve been teaching my kids, my grandkids, and my neighbors that we should not repeat past mistakes. First of all, don’t just stand and watch it,” he advises. “Leave in a calm manner.”
