Surachat, the fisherman who survived the tsunami

The UNDP 'Tsunami Story Books' is a series of illustrated real-life stories from the Asia-Pacific region that aims to help children better understand the magnitude of a tsunami and how to be prepared. Each story features different community heroes and explains how children can protect themselves, their families, and friends from tsunamis and manage difficult emotions when confronted with a tsunami. The books - aimed primarily at children aged 6-11 years old - are part of the 'Strengthening School Tsunami Preparedness in Asia-Pacific', a United Nations Development Programme project, in partnership with the Government of Japan.

On 26 December 2004, the Indian Ocean Tsunami struck the coast of Thailand. Surachat Lemlae was selling fish from his boat when the tsunami wave hit, leaving him fighting for his life. “My boat capsized, throwing me against the wall, under water “. Read Surachat’s story on surviving the tsunami.