A central part of the show will be the now traditional lighting of candles on the beach by members of the public, a beautiful and moving reminder of the disaster that hit Phuket and many other shores around the Indian Ocean on the morning of December 26, 2004, following a massive earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
The ceremony, at Loma Park, Patong will start at 6.30 pm. In Phuket, Patong was worst affected by the tsunami. The programme is as follows:
6:00: Assemble and sign book of remembrance; traditional Thai music concert.
6:30: Official opening of the ceremony by Phuket Governor Maitree Intusut.
6:35: Gov Maitree presents prizes to 30 winners of drawing competition.
6:50: Traditional dance show by Buchit Utsari Tri Yumpawai.
7:00: Speeches by the Governor and Paiboon Upatising, President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor).
7:10: Prayers for the victims, led by Pastor Brian Burton.
7:15: One minute’s silence in remembrance in the tsunami dead.
7:16: Gov Maitree lays wreaths to honour the victims.
7:25: Candle lighting on the beach.
7:30: Traditional show by Sattakinnara Pusapilai, followed by Khon Thai Ballet performance.