Cambodian survivors tell story of tsunami escape in Phuket
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PHNOM PENH, Jan. 10 (Kyodo) - One of nine Cambodian survivors of the tsunamis
that hit Thailand's Phuket island said she can hardly believe she and her
family survived and returned home, a daily reported Monday.
The Cambodia Daily ran an interview with Khov Chhengkim, 24, one of the
survivors, who said, "I did not expect that I would be able to stand here in my
house, my country again. I thought my life would end and my body would be left
in Thailand."
Khov Chhengkim was accompanied by her two aunts, a brother and a cousin along
with at least four other Cambodians who were reportedly touring Phuket on Dec.
26, the day the tsunamis hit, killing some 5,000 people.
Kinh Nailinn, 21, another survivor, shared the recollections of five of her
relatives in Phuket.
"When all of my relatives and other Western tourists got out of the boat and
stood on the beach, the sea started to get high and the waves increased very
fast," she said. Her family was bound for the island of Phi Phi by boat, she
added.
She said about 300 tourists started running toward a tall hotel building, with
the sea water right on their heels.
"A strong wave hit the hotel and all the windows and doors were broken," she
told the English daily. "The sound of glass breaking enhanced our fears."
"I heard only the voice of crying from Western tourists who lost wives,
children or husbands," she was quoted as saying.
01/10/05 00:38 EST
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