Two English siblings search for their Thai rescuers of a decade back was answered quickly this week.
Nearly 10 years after a Thai couple came to their rescue in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Ben and Emily Willgrass’ search to find them again ended Tuesday, just 15 hours after Ben posted a picture of the good Samaritan couple on Facebook.
On Dec. 26, 2004, the siblings and their father, Nigel, survived the tsunami with the help and care of the couple they only knew as Upin and Pichet. With the 10th anniversary of the tsunami approaching, the Ben and Emily planned to visit Phuket this week to meet the couple and thank them for their lifesaving kindness and hospitality.
Ben and Emily Willgrass now.
“During the worst moment of our lives, Upin and Pichet were there for us and our family and we are trying to find them now,” read the caption in Ben’s photo. “They let us stay with them until we could leave Phuket the following day, and as Phuket Airport was closed, drove us over 870km to Bangkok so we could fly back to England.”
“Words cannot explain how thankful we are for the help and support they gave us, and the kindness they showed at a time when it was needed most will never be forgotten. We have not seen Upin and Pichet since this day.”
The couple, who have been identified as Pichet and Yupin Sengmuang, had taken the siblings into their home as Nigel went out to look for his wife, Louise.
Sadly, Louise Willgrass did not survive ‒ she was found dead in the Ocean Shopping Mall in Patong. The tsunami was estimated to have killed some 800 people on Phuket.
One of Pichet’s relatives had spotted one of the online reports on the Willgrass’ search circulating the internet and contacted Khaosod.
According to them, Yupin and Pichet moved to Phuket in 1994 to open a food and grocery store at Trai Trang Beach.
The couple are now divorced. Pichet moved back to his hometown of Phattalung, while Yupin remains in Phuket.
Yupin with her son
“I missed them and I am so glad they are coming back to see me. I really appreciate it,” Pichet said. “Ten years ago they were just children. I have no idea what they will be like now. But please tell them that Thailand welcomes them back.”
The Phuket News contacted Ben Willgrass with the news and provided him with the former couple’s numbers.
“We never expected quite the response we have received, but it just shows once again how amazing the Thai people are,” Ben replied.
Phuket’s Department of Tourism and Sport want to present Yupin with a certificate recognizing her good deeds. The island’s tourist police have also volunteered to help the Willgrass siblings reconnect with Yupin and Pichet.
In 2005, a year after the disaster, Nigel Willgrass, their father, opened a new school building in Phuket. It was funded by a charity he set up in remembrance of his wife, who had taught in the United Kingdom.
Story: Phuket News
