The following document is a rough translation to English of a report from Sidsel Svestad and Per Morten Dahl:

Thailand December 26 2004 - the Earthquake Tragedy

We were there - and this has changed us!

Our family - four persons - was on our fifth journey to the "Smiling Country" (Thailand) at Christmas and New Years celebration. We were about to celebrate Sidsel at her 50-years day and at the same time be together with our Thai friends.

Per Morten and I was at the beach in Karon when the big wave hit the beaches in Phuket. That we should experience the catastrophe was so unreal. Per Morten was caught in the wave but I escaped in time when the water flooded in over Karon Beach. People were floating around us in the water and many of them dead. In situations like this you consider that the margins between life and dead are small. André and Vegard, our children, were still at the hotel and were unharmed.

But we have had many contacts with people who have lost family members. We will never forget the travel home with the air ambulance together with many Norwegian and Swedish families who had lost some relatives. 

Nisin and Sidsel Monday 22nd November 2004

All the help and care we got from Thai people was outstanding. Many years ago we met Nisin Sae-Khu who has meant very much to us. In the connection to the catastrophe our contact became very close but we had no opportunity to thank her for her formidable performance for us and for the local people during the three days after the catastrophe when we still were in Phuket. During the time after we left, she has been involved in the aid for her people. I can not find words to describe her actions in this terrible period. 

The Thai people helped us Europeans in the period after the tsunami. Many of them has lost relatives. Many fishermen have lost their fishing tools and thereby lost their income. When the tourists left and it is uncertain when they will come back, many Thai people will loss their job. Many of them have no income any longer and are not able to build up, what has been destroyed.

Last weeks the Norwegian help organizations have collected big money. The generosity has been great and they have now got nearly 400 MNKR. We now wish to collect money to

  Nisin’s help fund.

A special account will be opened in Askim Sparebank. The money will completely be sent to Nisin, our friend in Phuket. She will see to it that the money will be given to the local people in Phuket who need it most. Nisin works hard for them but she needs your help to help them.

Per Morten and Nisin at the Phuket International Hospital Wednesday 29th December 2004.

Payment to account no 1100 11 94390 - Askim Sparebank, Ski

Thankyou for your help.

Kontact information

Sidsel Svestad and Per Morten Dahl - e-mail isis.volare@c2i.net 

Bente Jakobsen - e-mail beja0106@online.no

Vibeke Kubberud – e-mail vibekekubberud@hotmail.com