TSUNAMI PRAYERS Buddha and the Beach Tx Date: 2nd August 2005 This script was made from audio tape – any inaccuracies are due to voices being unclear or inaudible 10.00.00 Theme Music 10.00.15 Title Page TSUNAMI PRAYERS 10.00.20 Music 10.00.23 Narrator On Thailand’s southern coastline lie the ruins of tourist resorts devastated by the Tsunami. 10.00.29 Music 10.00.33 Narrator As the resorts rebuild villagers living beside them are fighting a second battle with powerful developers who are trying to seize their land. 10.00.41 Music 10.00.46 Deang Voice over The developers want to take the land we’ve lived on for years and build a tourist resort like the one they have here. Even if they make me a great offer and beg at my feet I won’t give them my land. 10.00.59 Music 10.01.02 Narrator This is the story of one Buddhist village and its fight to rebuild, armed only with a faith that has no God and no easy answers. 10.01.10 Music 10.01.12 Title Page Buddha and the Beach 10.01.17 Music 10.01.20 Narrator It’s the end of February; amid the ruins of the village of Laem Pom in Southern Thailand. 10.01.25 Music 10.01.33 Narrator Villager leader Deang Kongwatmai is organising the blessings for three new houses. 10.01.39 Deang Subtitles Hurry up! So we can do them all together. 10.01.48 Narrator She’s following ancient Thai beliefs based on Buddhism, spirit worship and superstition. 10.01.57 Deang Voice over We’re putting nine coins in the foundations for good luck. Good luck for the house. 10.02.12 Man Voice over It’s a tradition for us Buddhists when we build our houses. To begin in this way, to hold our hearts together. 10.02.24 Narrator The Tsunami destroyed every house in the village and left a third of the hundred and fifty residents dead or missing. Now they’re putting their faith in traditional beliefs to give them better fortune. 10.02.39 Deang Voice over We believe that when we do this we will live happily and peacefully, there will be good things in our lives. 10.02.46 Music 10.02.48 Narrator But the villagers face a huge struggle ahead. Laem Pom’s beach side location is a target for land developers keen to expand tourism. 10.02.58 Music 10.03.01 Narrator For the past three years the villagers have been locked in a legal battle with a developer who claims it owns the land. When the Tsunami destroyed the village the company moved in. 10.03.17 Deang Voice over Look at that. That’s the company sign. There’s another one over there. They put them everywhere saying; Do Not Trespass. After the Tsunami they wouldn’t let us back on our land. I begged every day to let me come in and search for the bodies of my family. They told me to stay away. The Tsunami couldn’t kill me but they could. 10.03.54 Music 10.03.55 Narrator The company deny making such threats. But for the villagers the fear is very real. 10.04.00 Music 10.04.06 Narrator As the building work gets going the pressure is on to work as fast as possible. Once the houses are rebuilt it will be much harder for the company to evict them. 10.04.16 Music 10.04.21 Man in hat Voice over There aren’t that many of us left so we normally work at night too. But then it’s difficult to see and move things around. 10.04.34 Narrator While the villagers work, the company is keeping a close watch from its own house staffed with armed guards. The villagers call them the Mafia. 10.04.47 Deang Voice over They’re inside that house watching what we’re doing. We don’t have anything but they have everything. If I make a wrong move in this battle I’m afraid I’ll be killed so I’ve got to be really careful when dealing with the company. 10.05.07 Narrator The villagers have yet to receive any donations from western aid agencies or help from the state. 10.05.15 Oy Voice over The government doesn’t help us with the rebuilding. No soldiers have come; we’ve got to do it ourselves. They say the ownership of the land is in dispute so they can’t help. But everyone here says the same thing; we may have lost everything but for the sake of our families we will find the energy to fight. 10.05.43 Narrator Although they are throwing themselves into the work grief is never far from the surface. 10.05.51 Narrator Deang lost six family members to the Tsunami, including her father, her sister and her eight year old daughter. 10.06.01 Deang Voice over I used to like this beach but not any more. If you’d been here the first two days it would break your heart. The bodies of small children everywhere. I don’t like to look at the sea; it just reminds me of my daughter. 10.06.33 Narrator The grief and loss have left Deang’s husband Tung withdrawn. 10.06.39 Deang’s husband Voice over I just have sadness and regret. I can’t describe it. 10.06.49 Deang Voice over At first I thought I’d lost both my kids. We searched for them late into the night. Me and his father holding hands, crying, searching for our kids. If I’d lost them both I’d be completely devastated. 10.07.11 Narrator Three days after the Tsunami Deang found her son alive and well in her local hospital. 10.07.19 Music 10.07.25 Narrator It’s Buddha Day; a religious day that occurs twice a month. 10.07.29 Music 10.07.32 Narrator The villagers are preparing for the arrival of monks from the nearby temple. 10.07.36 Music 10.07.39 Narrator The monks depend on donations for their food and today their alms round brings them to Laem Pom. 10.07.45 Music 10.07.49 Narrator Despite their hardships the villagers are sticking to Buddhist beliefs about the importance of being generous. 10.07.55 Monks singing 10.08.00 Deang Voice over We’ve all lost many relatives. But when we practice generosity, like giving food to the monks, we feel good. 10.08.14 Narrator Buddhism teaches that any act of true generosity earns you spiritual merit and that merit can be transferred to ease the suffering of the dead. 10.08.28 Deang Voice over We believe that the merits we’ve gained will go to those who have died, to help them have a more fortunate rebirth. 10.08.38 Narrator The belief that it’s possible to help the dead in this way is deep rooted in Thailand and is a way of dealing with grief. 10.08.47 Deang Voice over Everybody in the village is in the same position; no one has anything left. I’m organising the village so that everyone can have a home and the whole community will benefit. By doing these things for my neighbours maybe I can pass the merits to my daughter so that she’ll have a better life when she’s reborn. 10.09.11 Narrator Two weeks later building work’s well underway. 10.09.17 Narrator A group of university students from Bangkok has come to help and give encouragement. 10.09.22 Singing 10.09.33 Deang Voice over They’re really good for our morale. There’s thirteen of them; they work hard and enjoy themselves. They’re delightful. 10.09.45 Narrator The villagers are surviving on donations. They’ve been leant a digger to help with the rebuilding. 10.09.55 Deang Voice over The driver hasn’t done it for a while so needs a bit of practice. I think he’ll be better soon but we’re all a bit worried about falling coconuts. 10.10.14 Music 10.10.24 Narrator Despite the progress with the building work it’s in the courts where the real battle will be fought. 10.10.28 Music 10.10.32 Narrator Ten miles from the village is the regional capital of Taquapa, untouched by the Tsunami. 10.10.37 Music 10.10.40 Narrator Deang’s friend Oy has come to the courthouse to meet one of the lawyers acting for the villagers. 10.10.47 Lawyer Subtitles The owner had left the land empty and unused for a long time And the villagers settled there to make their living 10.11.00 Oy Subtitles Most of the villagers have been living there more than 30 years 10.11.04 Lawyer Subtitles And nobody came to evict them until the land price was high 10.11.09 Oy Subtitles They’re planning to build a big resort That’s why they want to seize the land 10.11.17 Lawyer Subtitles Looking at the evidence, I think you have a good chance of winning The company doesn’t have a right to this land Because the villagers have lived there for so long But it’s up to the court Whoever has the best evidence will win 10.11.38 Narrator At Laem Pom Deang has decided to rebuild her house in exactly the same spot. 10.11.48 Deang Voice over The front door was right here; my daughter liked to sit here. This is where the kitchen was. When my daughter was hungry she’d run in here to get some food. I can still picture it. 10.12.13 Deang Voice over Look, here’s my daughter’s skirt; the one she wore to school. When I see this stuff I miss her. Just a small girl. Better button this up. 10.12.34 Deang Voice over The water washed all this stuff from the houses and it got stuck here. I was delivering fish to the hotels in Bangsak. That’s when the giant waves came. I ran to check on my children. The houses were gone, there was water everywhere, I didn’t know if my kids had survived. My Dad was running and died just over there; he was hit by the water and his body was found on January the third. I couldn’t find my daughter. 10.13.19 Deang Voice over My daughter loved this place; wherever she went she always wanted to return here. I’m sure her soul is here so I want to live here to be her companion. 10.13.35 Narrator It took Deang a month to find her daughter’s body; many others are still missing including Oy’s own children. 10.13.44 Oy Voice over My three sons, they were born one year apart, these two are missing. We’ve still not found their bodies. 10.13.59 Narrator Every evening Oy carries out a ritual which she hopes will nurture the spirits of the dead while they wait to be reborn. 10.14.13 Oy Voice over I’m offering rice to feed the spirits. Not just the spirits of my children but also those who don’t have families to honour them. I feel fulfilled helping the spirits, I want them to be at peace and happy and free from suffering. 10.14.41 Singing 10.14.50 Narrator Weeks of living and working together is bringing the villagers closer but they all know the struggle to stay on the land is far from over. 10.14.58 Singing 10.15.02 Narrator Two years ago Deang recorded a video of village life and their fight with the company. 10.15.09 Deang Voice over This is my friend’s house. Mafia knocked it down. The developers were angry so they sealed off the whole area and they put this fence up. We planted these coconut trees years ago, my Dad helped to do it. And that’s my Dad’s house. When the company claimed our land I didn’t know what to do, I was afraid they would destroy all the evidence we lived here; the coconut trees, houses or whatever. So I shot this video as proof of our existence. That’s my daughter; that’s Quan, six years old. 10.16.08 Music 10.16.18 Deang Subtitle Isn’t this great? 10.16.21 Narrator A group of builders have made the long journey from the north of the country to volunteer their labour. 10.16.26 Music 10.16.27 Deang Subtitles How long have you been travelling? Two days, two nights? And not even a shower! 10.16.36 Builder Subtitle Where was your house? 10.16.37 Deang Subtitle Over there! 10.16.39 Builder Subtitle Have you rebuilt it? 10.16.40 Deang Subtitles I’ve barely started. We’ll do my friends’ houses first 10.16.42 Builder Subtitle I’ll build you a house 10.16.44 Deang Subtitle That’s a deal! 10.16.49 Deang Voice over These wonderful men have come from Lampoon in Chang Mai. They’re going to help us rebuild our homes. 10.16.57 Builder Subtitles Plain rice gives you energy but this sticky rice is much better. Now we can build a house in five days! 10.17.07 Deang Subtitle It tastes good? 10.17.09 Builder Subtitles We saw on TV that they are in trouble I thought, I’ve got a chance to help them… so here I am. 10.17.27 Narrator With professional builders at work the houses are taking shape. But with the village surviving on donations, Deang’s under extra pressure. 10.17.40 Deang Voice over I’m worried that we don’t have enough money and food to feed all the new volunteers. It’s all very stressful. 10.17.52 Narrator There’s more for Deang to worry about. Water’s once again causing problems and in Thailand when it rains, it pours. 10.18.06 Deang Voice over This year the rain has come so early. It normally comes in April or May. My tent is soaking wet to sleep in. I feel tired when I see the rain. We want to survive but it’s difficult with nowhere to live. My daughter was afraid of thunder and rain, when it was raining she would come running to me and her Dad. 10.18.46 Thunder 10.18.56 Deang Voice over For each day that I can smile there are six days that are stressful, my brain can’t bear it. Sometimes I just want to have a day of massage, wash my hair, scrub my skin and relax, leave everyone for a couple of days. There are only problems and stress all the time. 10.19.31 Singing 10.19.35 Narrator It’s Buddha Day again and Deang has come to her local temple to see if the monks can give her comfort and inspiration. First they must make spiritual merit for her dead relatives with a traditional Buddhist ritual. 10.19.51 Monks singing 10.20.03 Monk Subtitles Each person assumes their perception of the world is true that we are all separate individuals But this is wrong We are all interconnected and our suffering is shared 10.20.15 Deang Subtitles I wonder why I was given a child… only for her to be taken away so soon 10.20.24 Monk Subtitles All parents love their children Whatever happens they will try to protect them whoever we have lost – be it a child or older relative we have to accept our fate if we refuse to let them go… we will only suffer more 10.20.47 Deang Voice over I’m still troubled but coming to see the monks has helped. I know that in time I will heal and be able to let go but I can’t do it quickly. 10.21.09 Narrator Back at Laem Pom there’s a new development in the land battle. The company they are fighting has sent one of its lawyers with a deal, offering them land elsewhere in exchange for their beach front location. 10.21.23 Lawyer Subtitles If you agree to the company’s offer I’ll issue you with the land ownership documents I’ll draw up a contract and give title deeds to whoever agrees 10.21.35 Deang Subtitles We know what you’re trying to do so you may as well leave us alone 10.21.41 Lawyer Subtitles The company holds the deeds for this land And the villagers are trespassing 10.21.50 Villager Subtitle We’ve always lived here 10.21.53 Deang Subtitles I gave birth here I’ve lived here for more than thirty years 10.22.00 Lawyer Subtitles Look, I’m just here to try to find a compromise If you want to fight that’s your business 10.22.12 Narrator The villagers are not interested in the deal and the company will have to come up with a new plan. 10.22.20 Deang Voice over He’s trying to split us up. If we’re divided it will be easier for them. 10.22.26 Singing 10.22.37 Narrator It’s the last night for the northern builders and time for farewells. 10.22.41 Singing/applause 10.22.46 Builder Subtitles I will be leaving tomorrow and I will miss the villagers of Laem Pom very much I will always remember you and if I have a chance to return, I will I hope you will also remember us Thank you 10.23.00 Applause 10.23.04 Deang Subtitles Thanks to everyone who came to give us their labour or their love I’m so touched I don’t know what to say Thank you 10.23.20 Singing 10.23.35 Narrator An hour later and the villagers are on edge. 10.23.38 Gunshots 10.23.42 Deang Voice over Those were gun shots; five or six of them. A group of villagers have gone to take a look. We saw the flash of gun shots; I’m sure it’s the land company threatening us; I’m scared they’ll do something worse than just make threats. 10.24.02 Music 10.24.05 Narrator The party’s horridly ended and men posted on security watch through the night. 10.24.09 Music 10.24.17 Man Voice over If they shoot they won’t be able to kill all of us unless they’ve got an M sixteen. 10.24.28 Music 10.24.33 Narrator It’s April and Deang and those left from her extended family are making the long journey to her ancestral village. In a ceremony to mark one hundred days since their deaths, she’s taking her relatives’ ashes to be placed in the family graveyard. 10.24.48 Music 10.24.54 Deang Voice over These are Quan’s bones; that’s all we have left after her cremation. 10.25.01 Deang Subtitle The bones smell nice 10.25.08 Narrator It’s a chance for Deang to practice what the monks have taught her about the importance of letting go. 10.25.16 Deang Subtitles This is my daughter. She’s eight years old Eight years and a few months She was doing very well at school This one is my elder sister We also have the ashes of my uncle – but we don’t have a picture of him The bodies of two of them are still missing my little step-brother and nephew 10.25.50 Singing 10.25.56 Narrator Despite Deang’s efforts she’s finding it very difficult to practice the Buddhist ideal. 10.26.06 Deang Voice over I’m just a normal person, not an enlightened Buddha. I find it really difficult to let go of the people I love. The monks teach us that in life there is struggle and change is inevitable. I’m trying to move on but it’s very hard. Getting over it would lessen my pain but I can’t stop missing her. I don’t think I’ll forget her even when I’m dead. 10.26.35 Narrator In line with Buddha’s teachings the ashes of Quan and her relatives will be placed together in the family stupor. 10.26.42 People praying 10.27.12 Deang Voice over If it’s true that there is a next life I wish Quan to be reborn as my daughter. 10.27.27 Music 10.27.35 Narrator One month on and roofs are appearing on many houses. 10.27.38 Music 10.27.39 Deang Subtitle How many are done now? 10.27.41 Man Subtitle With a roof on? About twelve. 10.27.46 Deang Subtitles All thirty houses will be finished at the same time so we will all move in together 10.27.52 Narrator The Mafia have not returned and work’s well underway on Deang’s own house. 10.28.01 Deang Voice over It makes me happy; I’m so pleased to see the pillars up on my house. We lost everything and I never thought I would have a house again. I think I’ll build a room for my daughter Quan. I’ll buy the things she liked so it will be like she’s here with me. It will make me feel better. Whatever I do I do it for her. I’ve got mixed feelings; even though I’m suffering, when I think of the houses I’ve helped to build for my friends I feel happiness in my heart. 10.28.42 End music 10.28.46 Caption The first houses are now complete 10.28.50 Caption The legal battle continues 10.28.56 TSUNAMI PRAYERS bbc.co.uk/tsunamiprayers Credits 10.28.56 Narrator AMANDA ST. JOHN Dubbing Mixer MATT SKILTON Online Editor CLIVE MATTOCK Colourist KATHERINE GRINCELL Graphics LYNN WILSON Production Team VICTORIA MISSELBROOK LADONNA HALL Production Manager JANE WILLEY Unit Manager SUSAN CRIGHTON Researchers JUSTIN McWILLIAMS SOMPORN PANYASTIANPONG Assistant Producer AMANDA GOODMAN Film Editor JULES CORNELL Executive Producer KAREN O’CONNOR 10.29.09 Filmed & Produced by ASHOK PRASAD BBC © BBC MMV 10.29.13 End BBC Tsunami Prayers: Buddha and the Beach 1 1