Prince Andrew tours tsunami-hit Phuket island
Britain's Prince Andrew today thanked hospital workers on the Thai resort island of Phuket for helping thousands of people when the Asian tsunami struck the area in December last year.
The Duke of York was visiting Thailand’s southern coast to show Britain’s gratitude for help given to its citizens in the aftermath of the disaster that left more than 5,300 people dead and 2,900 missing there.
“I really appreciate your hard work,” Prince Andrew told dozens of medical workers at Phuket Hospital, which treated more than 1,000 patients hurt by the December 26 tsunami.
About 800 of the patients were foreigners said Piyanooch Ananpakdee, the hospital’s manager.
Prince Andrew also planned to visit some of the area’s fishermen – many of whom lost their boats and livelihoods when the massive waves crashed ashore – as well as forensic teams working to identify victims.
He will also lay a wreath at a temporary memorial wall in Phuket later in the day.
A British Embassy spokesman said 105 Britons had been confirmed dead and another 26 had gone missing in the disaster in Thailand – a popular destination for tourists.
Most victims of the tragedy were in Phang Nga province, about 75 miles north of Phuket.
Prince Andrew is scheduled to leave Thailand tomorrow.
