Baan Naamkem - A small village on Thailand's west coast. The population of about 4,000 people came from various parts of Thailand. Many poor families were drawn to the village seeking work as tin miners: some came from Essarn - the poorest region in the north east of Thailand. The village also had a mix of "New Thai" fisher-folk. - the term "New Thai" is a misnomer for this minority, as many have been settled on the coast in PhangNga and Phuket for over often 100 years - They are sometimes called sea gypsies -

The Tsumai struck on December 26 morning

Over 1000 people lost their lives - many are still missing - most homes were destoyed; boats - livelihoods were lost as were children, parents, brothers and sisters .........

The next 2 days ...

Finding a place and setting up the Camp

CODI workers (from Bangkok) and people from the grassroots networks in the south gathered with a group of survivors from the village to search for land to establish a temporary camp. Finally they selected some high-ground a kilometer or so from the village. It belonged to the local government and had water facilities.

...   The group contacted the Local Authority which was not so sure whether the people could settle on this land. They said the group should contact the District Authority. The DA said they could not make a decision .... because it has to come from the upper level.  
The group then went to the Provincial Governor .. he was not there ... so they were told to wait ... for this and that ...

Finally the group said we shall just occupy the land ... that's the easiest way ... to come and occupy it ... and do what we have to do ... so they did.

"So yesterday (Jan1) a few senior officers came ... and we told them .. Oh it's an emergency and we needed to do something ... and I will contact your organization .. on Monday or Tuesday ..      I will talk to the Head of the Department ..  "
The oficials said " you need a letter asking for permission to use this land."  
"Oh we'll do it ... definitely, no problem "   (laughing to me as this was related).

"Given people's suffering and situation ..... we just went ahead with whatever had to be done."  (kill the vertical)

This was the first camp to be set up in Thailand - and has since become a model for others.

Acquiring the Tents
The tents were set up Jan 2.
"They come from Bangkok. We had to gather the money as much as possible 300,000 Baht – and we went in search of whatever was possible in factories in Bangkok. We got 150 tents that day. We got the tents quickly .. but in other areas they could not settle as quickly - (perhaps too much red tape). So last night we were requested to assist others in other camps.
We said “No Problem” we can take care of that. “ because we want people … to start doing .

The camp - a place to Re-group .. Reflect and Plan - together

"It's a very important center   - psychologically - since people are together again - and strategically, it is a place for future planning - a place for people to rebuild their lives together. 

Next - Day one in the Life of Baan Namkem Camp - HERE