Overview

• The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, triggered by a 9.1-magnitude earthquake, claimed over 230,000 lives across multiple countries, including 5,400 in Thailand.
• German expatriate Frank Wetzig narrowly survived the disaster in Khao Lak, Thailand, but lost his parents and all of his belongings in the devastating waves.
• Wetzig recalls the terrifying moments of being trapped underwater, his near-death experience, and the black sediment-filled water that engulfed the region.
• In the aftermath, Wetzig rebuilt his life in Thailand, founding a hotel and contributing to improved tsunami preparedness, including evacuation routes and warning systems.
• Memorials and annual ceremonies continue to honor the victims, with survivors like Wetzig holding personal tributes to remember loved ones lost in the disaster.