Against The Odds Tsunami in Thailand | Strange Tide | 1
Nov 4, 2025
On December 26, 2004, a powerful 9.1 earthquake unleashed a catastrophic tsunami on Thailand's coast. Tourists and locals, like Ed, Helen, and fisherman Wimon, faced a dire struggle for survival. As the wave approached, signs like a receding sea went unnoticed by many. The chaos of frantic warnings, and harrowing escapes unfolded amidst holiday festivities. The podcast captures the raw, heart-wrenching moments before disaster struck, telling how lives were forever changed in mere seconds.
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Mother’s Instinct Saves Her Children
- Wachari Tangte sees a massive, non-breaking wave and races to save her two daughters.
- She hugs them tightly as the tsunami hits, illustrating instantaneous family-driven survival instinct.
Distant Quakes Create Local Catastrophe
- A 9.1 earthquake displaced vast water, creating a tsunami that radiated thousands of miles.
- Even distant coastal communities like Thailand faced immediate danger within minutes to hours.
Sailors Seeking Solace Before Disaster
- Ed Moosh and his wife Helen sail toward the Phi Phi Islands seeking solace after family tragedies.
- Their cruising lifestyle, gear, and flotilla support illustrate how travelers navigated remote Thai waters pre-tsunami.