Joanna James
Imagine how amazing it would be to travel overseas and make a difference in someone's life in a special way. In addition to impacting someone's life positively, you will also inspire many others to pursue your footsteps. Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park in Khao Lak, Thailand, is a place which engages tourists in 'voluntourism' and serves as a reminder of the ongoing difficulties that the locals face as a result of the 2004 Tsunami. It is also a tribute to the region's community strength.
Khao Lak is a Thai region which boasts of pristine beaches and picturesque national parks. It is a range of tourist hotspot villages which are scattered across the Takua Pa District and partially in the Thai Mueang District in the Phang Nga Province. It is situated about 60 kilometres towards the northern side of Phuket and on the west coastline of Thailand. Since it is nestled on the Andaman Sea coast and encompasses wondrous landscapes, it is the perfect destination for nature lovers.
One of the key places that travellers who have a penchant for travel tourism volunteer work tend to hang out is Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park which goes under the tagline ‘Conserve. Educate. Inspire’.
Ban Nam Khem is one area in the world which took one of the deadliest blows from nature. Half of the residents perished after the fatal December 26, 2004, Tsunami struck Ban Nam Khem. Before this disaster, there were 1,500 homes in the village. The tsunami claimed the lives of over 5,000 Thai citizens and foreign tourists. Nearly 4,000 were reported missing.
Thai residents of Ban Nam Khem made up almost half of the fatalities. This village suffered the largest losses relative to its population of any town in the nation.
The Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park was commemorated to acknowledge the extent of the destruction and the community’s effort to heal and stand up again after healing from this heart-wrenching occurrence. It was constructed between 2005 and 2006 in an area where a neighbourhood was completely wiped out by tidal waves.
Since Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park has become a frequent tourist destination there are numerous ways that travellers can reach this site. Many visitors who tend to stay at Phang Nga hotels manage to include this place in their itineraries as a place they must visit during their stay. Guests at Avani+ Khao Lak Resort can reach this distance in a matter of less than 15 minutes on a vehicle. You can take a quick ferry ride from the Ban Nam Khem pier to Koh Kho Khao. You can catch a glimpse of the enchanting five Surin Islands on the way then.
Ban Nam Khem provides easy access to Phang Nga Bay as well. This place is well-known for its limestone rock formations that cascade into the turquoise waters below. You can easily make an overnight trip there from this destination.
Once you reach the location you will see the memorial which has been moulded to resemble a wall of water. You will be able to detect the faces and names of some of the residents and travellers who had perished due to the Tsunami. A seated golden Buddha statue, with his back to the sea, can also be found here along with a miniature museum where you can gather information about the incident. The monument is set in tranquil environs so that visitors can reflect upon the incident in peace.
If you wish to experience a rewarding travel experience in Thailand while immersing yourself in the culture, consider becoming a volunteer for this project. You will be able to frequent the Ban Nam Khem volunteer quarters and engage in activities in the villages like lending your hand in the reconstruction efforts in the area. You can paint classrooms in the schools, conduct English language classes or lend a hand in the hygiene and nutrition-related workshops. You will also be able to assist with hatchling care, data collecting, turtle tank cleaning, and turtle release programmes into the ocean if you take part in the sea turtle conservation project.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
