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Wreckage of the fishing pier after the tsunami |
Project Overview The tsunami of December 26, 2006 devastated the lives and businesses of tens of thousands of people in southern Thailand. In its wake, over 5,000 people were killed, nearly 3,000 were missing and almost 9,000 were injured. Fishermen, especially those using small "long-tail" boats in near-coastal waters, were particularly hard hit. In addition to the fishermen killed by the waves, thousands of boats, nets and fish traps were destroyed along with docks and cold storage facilities.
As part of K.I.Asia's Tsunami Recovery Action Initiative (TRAI) the institute is assisting affected small-boat fishermen to recover from the disaster. The initiative is receiving generous funding from the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund and the Kenan Charitable Trust.
The Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund has donated US$200,000 to design and build the "Long-Tail Fishing Boat Repair Center and Pier Project" ("PIER Project"). This is a community development initiative focused on assisting the local Phang-nga fishing community of Tablamu Port in Lam Kaen Sub-district.
The PIER project consists of developmental planning, design, and construction of the long tail fishing boat repair center and establishment of the Lam Kaen Fisher Folk Group to develop, manage and maintain the facilities. The project is designed to be replicable in other locations through sharing information and lessons-learned. Mr. Anucha Mokkhawes, Director-General for the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, first recommended the concept which was enthusiastically received by local fishermen who added their own ideas to the project development. It has also received strong support from the Governor of Phang-nga Province and officials from the governor's office down to the local Tambon or sub-district level. In late 2007, an additional grant of US$64,000 was provided by the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund in order to provide for a training/meeting facility and to provide training to the fisherman to manage the facility and fish in a sustainable manner.
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Chuan Sripanung, the president of Lam Kaen Fisher Folk Group
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An establishment of the "Lam Kaen Fisher Folk Group"
In order to organize the fisher folk community to participate in the development and management of the Long Tail Fishing Boat Repair Center and Pier Project, the "Lam Kaen Fisher Folk Group" was formed on April 26, 2006. The group's role is to represent the interests of the long tail fishing boat owners and to participate in construction and management of the facilities after construction has been completed. The group is to have regular meetings and with assistance from K.I.Asia develop guidelines for operations. Sixty-two community members from the six villages of the Lam Kaen Sub-District have registered and have elected twelve board members. The chairman is Mr. Chuan Sripanung, a well-respected long tail boat fisherman.
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Approved Perspective VS. Complete Facility
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An opening ceremony of the PIER project took place on January 19, 2008
The Lam Kaen Long-tail Fishing Boat Repair Center and Pier, a major K.I.Asia project to assist the sustainable recovery and development of the tsunami-hit area of southern Thailand, has officially opened and begun work.
The facility provides local fishermen whose livelihoods were devastated by the tsunami, with a permanent place to moor and repair their coastal fishing boats, unload their catch and prepare their crab and fish pots. It also serves as a center for booking eco-tour services and selling local products, giving tourists a new place to interact with local people.
The project won support from U.S. Presidents George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton who visited the area in early 2005 shortly after the tsunami. Most of the construction of the facility was funded by donations from the American people through the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund.
US Ambassador Eric G. John, Phang-nga Governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob and Mr. Mark Ward, representative of the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund, officially opened the center on January 19, 2008. The facility is a key part of the renovation of renovating the waterfront next to Taplamu pier, the launch point for the world-famous diving sites in the Similan Islands, devastated by the tsunami.
“May this facility give you the tools you need to rise above the heartbreak and build a brighter future for yourselves, your families, and your community,” wrote President Clinton in letter which was read on the occasion by Mr. Ward.
“I hope I can come back in person and help celebrate the return of the life and work you so love,” wrote President George Bush Sr.
Ambassador John noted the pier’s importance to the local economy. “The Long-tail Fishing Boat Pier and Repair Center will improve the livelihoods of the fisher folk and help promote tourism in one of the areas hardest hit by the tsunami,” he said.
"The Long Tail Fishing Boat Repair Center and Pier project aims to develop the quality of life for the people of Taplamu and is fits well with Phang-nga province's policy on life stability and development,” said Governor Wichai.
“It is great that Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund and Kenan Institute Asia are aware of the importance of fisher folks' way of life in Thailand. My compliments to both organizations," he said.
The Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund provided a $264,000 grant to K.I.Asia to support the design and construction of the facility. With additional support from the Kenan Charitable Trust, K.I.Asia, working with Gannon Realty (Thailand) and Cornerstone, managed the project. K.I.Asia set up a fisher folk group to advise on the project and manage the completed facility which was formally signed over to the local sub-district council.
“The Long-tail Fishing Boat Pier and Repair Center will improve the livelihoods of the fisher folk and help promote tourism in one of the areas hardest hit by the tsunami,” said Ambassador John. Designed by Harper Architecture and Meinhardt Engineering, the facility includes a well-equipped boat and net repair building connected to a concrete pier with docking for up to 60 long-tail boats. A Thai-style “sala” and an adjoining building provide venues for the sale of local handicrafts. The facility can provide docking and booking facilities, shops and co-op offices for more than 100 nearby fishing families.
"The Long Tail Fishing Boat Repair Center and Pier project aims to develop the quality of life for the people of Tablamu and is fits well with Phang-nga province's policy on life stability and development,” said Governor Wichai. “It is great that Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund and Kenan Institute Asia are aware of the importance of fisher folks' way of life in Thailand. My compliments to both organizations".
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