Published on October 12, 2005

It’s all scribbles now but when the 3.2-metre by 4.5-metre tsunami commemorative “comic book” is completed, it is expected to be the world’s largest.

The illustrated book will be displayed in Phang Nga to mark the first anniversary of the tsunami.

It aims to encapsulate the tragedy and horror of that fateful day, when thousands perished as the tsunami struck the country’s Andaman coastline.

The book is being designed and written by students from Rangsit University’s Fine and Applied Arts Faculty.

Called “Kwamwang Lang Mahantapai Tsunami” (Hope after the Tsunami Disaster), the giant book will contain 49 pages. It will have three sections comprising illustrations, photographs and information on the tsunami.

Its enormous size should attract crowds.

About 50,000 scaled-down copies of the book will be published for sale at Bt200 each. About 35,000 issues will be printed in Thai and the rest in English.

The sale of the book is expected to raise money for the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Foundation.

The body will use the cash to provide scholarships to tsunami-affected children, said lecturer Vichai Mekkerdchoo, who heads the project’s production and sponsorship.

The illustrated tale is about Khaen, a nine-year-old Phang Nga orphan who lost his father in an accident.

The boy befriends Phi, a young tourist from Bangkok who is visiting the province with his father.

When the tsunami comes, Phi is swept away and his body is never found.

While struggling to save his own life, Khaen sees his dead father reaching out to save him, then he is carried away by the waves to a mangrove forest where he is able to cling on to branches. After the incident, Khaen realises that his father never left him. That’s how he deals with his loss.

“We hope it will serve as a tsunami memorial and give moral support to victims of the disaster. Their loved ones who died will always be with them,” said Phonchom Iemsum-ang, 22, the art director for the book.

The story was inspired by victims, but it is not based on any specific individual, Phonchom said.

Though the idea was hatched in January, production did not start until June after the original plot went through several drafts.

The students in the team said they were happy to work on the project as it was an opportunity to showcase their talents while helping others in need.

For third-year student, Neerachar Sophol, 21, who took two trips to Phang Nga with fellow students to teach painting to affected children, their plight convinced her to join the project.

Photos and information for the book’s other two chapters are still being finalised.

Pattaree Lertkit, 25, a recent graduate who is designing the book, suggested the book use photos from Nation Multimedia Group’s special edition called “26.12.04 Wrath of the Tsunami”.

The completed work should be available for viewing by mid December.

Premyuda Boonroj

The Nation

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