6 Thais missing after tragic NZ earthquake
The Nation: 23 Feb 2011
6 Thais missing after quakeBy Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong,
Wannapa Khaopa
The Nation
Published on February 24, 2011Families of nursing graduates feel the pain, fearing the worst as they anxiously await news from Christchurch; Thai government offers Bt2.3 million in assistance to New Zealand; holding talks to dispatch relief supplies
Pensioner Ruangyut Intarang-koon was going through the most painful wait of his life yesterday as all efforts to locate his youngest daughter in earthquake-hit Christchurch were proving fruitless as of press time.
"We have tried to contact her, but we cannot reach her or any of her friends," the anxious father said from his hometown in Buri Ram. "We are so worried about her."
She is one of six Thai students missing in Christchurch, Thailand's ambassador to New Zealand Noppadon Theppitak confirmed yesterday.
Ruangyut feels there is only a 50 per cent chance that his daughter Thanida is alive. Thanida, 36, was studying in Christchurch under a scholarship when the 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the city - New Zealand's second largest - on Tuesday, causing massive casualties.
Said Ruangyut: "The best I can do now is to keep abreast of the news and be ready to pack my bags for a trip to Christchurch if there's any news about my daughter."
Thanida had in fact called him on Monday, saying that her course was almost over but she planned to stay on in New Zealand to work.
Thanida graduated from Chiang Mai University with a degree in nursing. She used to work at Bumrungrad Hospital and then took a course in France, before heading to Christ-church.
Her family contacted the Thai Embassy in New Zealand but was told it could not locate her. Thanida was among a batch of nurses sent to New Zealand for an advanced course and to take a test to become a certified medical worker there.
"New Zealand has a shortage of nurses so we sent them there," Providence Education Group director Tatchaporn Nimsakulthamrong said yesterday. She said she could not confirm whether the students from her institute were at the CTV building when the earthquake hit at lunchtime.
"But they usually stay in the class at that time," Tatchaporn said.
She said the missing Thais were from Chiang Rai, Buri Ram, Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok.
"We are in contact with the Thai Embassy there because we want to give up-to-date information to the families of those missing," Tatchaporn said.
She said her institute had also contacted the Prime Minister's Office, urging the government to send a rescue team to the area to search for victims.
Her institute has been able to locate only 10 of the nurses it had sent to Christchurch.
"We were actually going to send 10 more nursing assistants there. But we will now suspend the plan until the situation there returns to normal," Tatchaporn said.
The other students missing besides Thanida are Wanphen (Nok) Pree-naklang, Pimporn (Meaw) Liangchua, Siriphan (Fon) Wongkulkarn, Jitra (Ta) Visuthithadapong, Haruetaya (Jeab) Luangtheerasakul.
Hotline 001 64 214 19300 has been established for Thais in New Zealand. The ambassador's phone number is 001 64 214 03570.
The Thai government will donate Bt2.3 million to New Zealand to help the earthquake victims, according to Thani Thongphakdi, director-general of the Department of Information and Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Meanwhile, the Thai government is holding discussions with New Zealand about providing more assistance and to dispatch relief supplies.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/02/24/national/6-Thais-missing-after-quake-30149425.html---------------------------------Christchurch Earthquake Information Wednesday 23 February 2011, Update 5Issued by Tourism New Zealand, 6pmThe following is intended as an operational update for international travelers in New Zealand, intending international travelers to New Zealand and family and friends of international travellers. For the most up-to-date source of information, people should go to
www.civildefence.co.nz or
http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/.* People in New Zealand concerned about the wellbeing of friends and relatives who are in Christchurch should call 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276).
* For people enquiring about family from outside New Zealand should call +64 7 850 2199
* International travellers in Christchurch who need non-medical assistance should call 0800 779 997
* Click here for information on Diplomatic and Consular services:
http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Embassies/2-Foreign-representatives-to-NZ/Diplomatic-and-Consular-List.phpBackground* Considerable damage has been reported in the Christchurch Central Business District and in Lyttelton.
A state of national emergency has been declared, however this only applies to Christchurch area and does not have any direct impact on other areas of New Zealand. It is expected to last for seven days at this stage.
There is a cordon around the central business district. Rescue work is ongoing. Damage assessment is underway.
Information for travellers currently in the Christchurch area:
Christchurch International Airport is open for domestic flights and international flights. Passengers are advised to go to confirm check in times and revised flight details with their airline. Delays are expected. Departing passengers should not go to the airport unless they have confirmed their flight scheduled. Latest information is at
www.christchurchairport.co.nz. The airport is providing free parking.
People who have tickets for flights booked for today:Travellers holding airline tickets are advised to check with their airline or travel agent before commencing travel to the airport.
Travellers not holding tickets for flights today but wishing to leave Christchurch are being assisted by Civil Defence. People in this situation should make their way to collection points at the Burnside High School welfare centre, corner of Memorial Avenue and Greers Road or the welfare centre at North Hagley Park. Please note, do not go to the airport directly if you wish to be on these flights. Please go only to the collection points.
All New Zealand airports, including Christchurch are open and operating. International travelers planning to visit New Zealand are advised that all regions outside of the Canterbury area remain operational. As a precaution, travelers are advised to check with their airline or travel agent before commencing travel in case of delays.
Road status
All highways are open apart from the Lyttelton Tunnel and State Highway 74, which is closed at Anzac Bridge between Wainoni and New Brighton Road. There are reports of major damage to local roads in the city and liquefaction and surface flooding. There are also some road closures in the Selwyn District.
Lyttleton Port status
Lyttleton Port of Christchurch is completing a full engineering assessment. Port operations are currently suspended.
RailAll trains in the Christchurch region are stopped until further notice. Trains are moving south of Ashburton and able to move north of Rangiora to Picton.
The 'TranzAlpine' which operates Christchurch/Arthurs Pass/Greymouth and Greymouth/Arthurs Pass/Christchurch train services and the 'TranzCoastal' Christchurch/Kaikoura/Blenheim/Picton and Picton/Blenheim/Kaikoura/Christchurch train services will resume on 01 March. Disrupted passengers are to call KiwiRail for alternative travel arrangements on 0800 808 400.
Road statusAll highways are open apart from the Lyttelton Tunnel and State Highway 74, which is closed at Anzac Bridge between Wainoni and New Brighton Road. There are reports of major damage to local roads in the city and liquefaction and surface flooding. There are also some road closures in the Selwyn District.
Coach Services
Intercity Coach Services are operational and will depart and arrive on 23 and 24 February from the corner of Colombo St and Bealey Avenue in Christchurch.
Rental Car/Campervan collection and drop off
Travelers that have booked rental vehicles should contact their provider to establish points of collection and drop off. Due to the cordon around the central city some operators have temporarily relocated their depots.
Information for travellers with a trip planned to the Christchurch area
Travellers intending to travel to or from Christchurch over the next seven days are advised to avoid any non-essential travel.
Travellers with a trip planned to the Christchurch area in the next seven days should check with their airline or travel agent.
Information for travellers with a trip planned to other parts of New Zealand
The state of national emergency applies only to the Christchurch area and does not have any direct impact on other areas of New Zealand. It is expected to last for seven days at this stage.
All New Zealand airports, including Christchurch are open and operating. International travelers planning to visit New Zealand are advised that the emergency declared applies only to the Christchurch area and does not have any direct impact on other areas of New Zealand. As a precaution, travelers are advised to check with their airline or travel agent before commencing travel in case of delays.
Information for family and friends of people travelling in the Christchurch area
People in New Zealand concerned about the wellbeing of friends and relatives who are in Christchurch should call 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276).
People from outside of New Zealand should call +64 8 850 2199. If you are unable to contact a friend or relative in the Christchurch area Red Cross will be able to tell you if they have registered with Civil Defence. People are encouraged to do this before reporting friends and relatives missing.
Other useful contactsAir New Zealand. From New Zealand 0800 737 000,
www.airnewzealand.co.nzJetstar. From New Zealand, 0800 800 995,
www.jetstar.comQantas. From New Zealand, 0800 808 767,
www.qantas.comAir Asia. From New Zealand, 0800 45 2566,
www.airasia.comAir Pacific. From New Zealand, 0800 800 178,
www.airpacific.comEmirates. From Air New Zealand, 0508 364 728,
www.emirates.comPacific Blue. From New Zealand, 0800 670 000,
www.pacificblue.co.nzSingapore Airlines. From New Zealand, 0800 808 909,
www.singaporeair.comClick here for updates for international students and parents.
Next update.
Tourism New Zealand is expected at approximately NZT 9.00am - 24 February, 2011.
http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Embassies/2-Foreign-representatives-to-NZ/Diplomatic-and-Consular-List.php
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