A massive earthquake, 30km below the Indian Ocean near Sumatra, Indonesia is widely known to have caused the devastating Boxing Day tsunami of 2004.

Upgraded to 9.3 on the Richter scale, it was one of the largest earthquakes in all of recorded history.  The resulting tsunami wave travelled across the ocean at an astonishing 800km/hr before striking land between 50-200km/hr.  After hitting the Island of Phuket, the tsunami took a further 45 minutes to reach the island of Koh Phi Phi.

Koh Phi Phi is an archipelago of six islands and consists of the major islands Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Ley. Ko Phi Phi Don is the largest Island covering a total area of 28 square kilometres; 8 kilometres in length and 3.5 kilometres at its broadest point and less than 0.5 of a kilometre at its narrowest point.

The first wave, 2.5 metres high, struck Ton Sai Bay at 10.37am.  A second wave came in from Loh Dalum Bay, the opposite direction to the first wave, and measured an astounding 5.5 metres high.  Both waves met in the middle of the Island, causing widespread damage to buildings and homes, destroying 70% of the buildings on the island.

Approximately 10,000 people were on the island at that time.  Around 2,000 people lost their lives; 104 children lost one or both parents or guardians.  In the days following the disaster 850 bodies were recovered, a further 1,300 people were never found.  The Island was then declared uninhabitable. 

Initially offering relief to the island was a very frustrating exercise and getting a suitable project to fund off the ground.  Many of the Island's residents still living to this day in either temporary accommodation or with family on the mainland, the Phi Phi community is still far from recovered. "Money is running low, there's still no sign of the millions pledged by the big aid agencies. The island is in great danger of being turned over to big corporate resort companies".

With the major aid agencies efforts focussed elsewhere rebuilding Phi Phi Island is a project Plumbing World have now wholeheartedly embraced.  Thanks to the efforts of Kim Buchan and his family, an NZPM shareholder, Plumbing World were able to provide funds for this worthwhile cause.  Providing building and food supplies, and the much needed skilled volunteers has made rebuilding the community something we are very proud to be involved in.

This formidable undertaking still progresses to this day with much of the building and rigorous restoration work still yet to be completed.  However, for the volunteers who spend time in Phi Phi it has without any exception become one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.

Plumbing World has pledged its continued support to this initiative and looks forward to the day this wonderful island vista can once again become a self-sufficient tourist destination.