Father pays tribute to brothers

Luke had been co-ordinating the search for his brother

The father of a Somerset man who was killed in the Asian tsunami disaster has spoken about the family's loss.

Piers Simon, 33, from Chilthorne Domer, died when the tsunami hit the café where he was breakfasting with friends on the island of Phi Phi.

His father, Henry, 58, said: "Our memories are of a son who made us proud, alongside his brother."

Luke Simon, 30, an English teacher in the city of Chiang Mai, found his brother after co-ordinating the search.

Piers' body was discovered on New Year's Eve, identified by photographs and his passport.

Memorial service

Mr Simon said: "We had days of hope - many other families haven't had that.

"It gave us something to focus on.

"Now it's over, we have had some black moments. But we have had an overwhelming response - the house is like a florist's."

Luke, now in Bangkok, is planning to fly back with his brother's body.

"Luke is still fantastic - he is effecting the visas and making contact with the embassy," Mr Simon said.

A man registered under the phonetically similar name of Piuz Simmows had been treated at a hospital in Krabi and later discharged, giving the family hope.

Then the name Piers Symon was spotted on an Italian website of five survivors on Ko Lanta island, but he was a survivor from Bury St Edmunds.

The Simon family had hoped Piers had been prevented from making contact while suffering from shock.

A funeral and memorial service for Piers will be held in the next few weeks.