Tsunami: CROSS?Effects? Christian Religious Organizations’ Support and its Socio?cultural Effects on aid recipients in Tsunami Rehabilitation. A case study at Thungwa, Thabtawan and Nahm Khem villages of Phang Nga’s Takua Pa district. By Pikula Sithiprasertkula, in cooperation with Save Andaman Network, edited by TAW, Chiang Mai 2007. ISBN 9789748410258

Pikula Sithiprasertkula presents a case study of the role of Christian religious organizations’ aid efforts at Thungwa, Thabtawan and Nahm Khem villages of Phang Nga’s Takua Pa district. She discusses from a local Buddhist perspective the way in which Christian groups provided aid to the local population, why this was at times considered particularly helpful by local communities, while at others causing negative impacts.

It asks questions about possible hidden agendas of Christian support groups and their problematic impact on the local social structure.

When one travels today in the area of Bahn Nahm Khem and Khao Lak in the post?Tsunami province of Phang Nga/Thailand, one cannot avoid seeing the symbols of Christian aid organizations. This aid left behind a significant number of churches, as well as the names of Christian organizations along with bible quotes being inscribed in the buildings (re-) constructed with the help of their funds.

With the wave of aid in the Tsunami aftermath Christian religious organizations had arrived along with others in the affected areas of Thailand. They distributed urgently needed material support, as well as psychological consolation for the victims, a dimension often neglected by secular aid. Still, there were frequent discussions coming up regarding the role of Christian religious organizations’ aid efforts. These discussions were often caused by rumors about missionary activities that were said to be closely linked to the urgently needed support. As a result, though, the author claims that missionary activities, if intended, did not prove all too successful in the area. The local population’s ambiguity toward this kind of aid effort was the starting point for further investigation of the issue within the scope of Tsunami Aid Watch.

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