Peter Baines, an Australian former forensic police officer and founder of the charity Hands Across the Water, will embark on a 1,400-kilometre run across Thailand this December.
The event, titled “Run to Remember,” is set to mark the 20th anniversary of the Boxing Day tsunami, which claimed the lives of approximately 230,000 people worldwide, including 5,400 in Thailand.
The run, which will span the length of Thailand, will begin on December 1st and end on December 26th at the tsunami memorial in Khao Lak, a region devastated by the 2004 disaster. Peter’s goal is to raise 25 million THB to support education centres in Thailand through his charity, which continues to provide aid to children affected by the tsunami and other vulnerable groups across the country.
A life-changing tragedy
The Boxing Day tsunami, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake in the Indian Ocean, left a lasting impact on Thailand, especially in the southern provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi. Thousands of lives were lost, and entire communities were displaced or destroyed.
Peter Baines first arrived in Thailand in early 2005, after being urgently called from holiday to help lead a team identifying the victims of the disaster. At the time, he had already worked on the identification of victims following the Bali bombings in 2002, but the scale of the tsunami’s destruction was unlike anything he had encountered before.
“When I arrived, the scene was unimaginable,” Peter recalls. “Instead of the beautiful beaches and clear skies that Thailand is known for, we were greeted by the ruins of homes and the grief of families searching for their loved ones. It was a deeply emotional experience.”
Peter and his team worked for several months, flying back and forth between Thailand and Australia to assist in identifying thousands of bodies, providing much-needed closure to families. His dedication to the task was driven by the understanding that each victim deserved to be returned to their family, no matter how long it took.
The birth of Hands Across the Water
During his time in Thailand, Peter encountered children who had lost their homes and families in the tsunami. Many were living in temporary shelters and had no clear path forward. The sight of these children deeply affected him, and he resolved to continue helping them even after his forensic work was complete.
In 2005, Peter founded Hands Across the Water, a charity dedicated to providing long-term care and support for children in Thailand who had been left without families. Initially, the charity supported 34 children in the small community of Khao Lak, one of the areas worst hit by the tsunami.
Since then, Hands Across the Water has grown significantly. Today, the charity cares for over 350 children across seven projects in Thailand, employing more than 60 staff members. Its initiatives include building homes for orphaned children, providing education and vocational training, and establishing digital and agricultural learning centres.
In 2006, Peter Baines and his team constructed the first house in Takua Pa, Phang Nga. However, the growing number of children in need prompted them to expand their efforts beyond the initial project.
Peter’ dedication to the cause led him to make a significant life decision in 2009, when he resigned from the police force to focus entirely on Hands Across the Water. Since then, he has been fundraising through events in Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand, helping to ensure that the children in his care have access to education and a secure future.
“After the tsunami, many people came to help, but most left when the immediate response was over,” Peter explains.
Peter often reflected on the long-term future of the children affected by the tsunami, considering not just their immediate needs but also what would happen to them as time went on.
He recognised the importance of providing ongoing support to ensure they had a stable foundation and opportunities for the future, leading to the creation of programs that offered long-term care and educational opportunities.
This long-term commitment has led to many success stories. One of the most rewarding, Peter shares, is that of a young girl who lost her entire family in the tsunami. Supported by the foundation, she went on to graduate with a degree in marketing from a Thai university and now works at an advertising agency in Australia. Another boy, who came from an abusive background, earned a doctorate from the University of Canberra and now holds a senior position within the foundation itself.
The 1,400km “Run to Remember”
To mark the 20th anniversary of the tsunami, Peter has set his sights on what will be his biggest physical challenge yet—a 1,400-kilometre run from Yasothon in northeastern Thailand to Khao Lak in the south. The run will take 26 days and cover the equivalent of 33 marathons, with the final stretch timed to coincide with the anniversary of the tsunami on December 26th.
The route will take Peter through various regions of Thailand. He is expected to reach Hua Hin by mid-December. (We will share updates of Peter’s progress during his run on the Hua Hin Today Facebook page).
Although Peter has previously completed marathons and ultra-marathons, he acknowledges that the “Run to Remember” will test him like never before, particularly due to Thailand’s challenging climate. “The heat and humidity will make this especially tough,” he admits.
The funds raised from the run will go towards Hands Across the Water’s education centres, including a hospitality training centre in Khao Lak, which is designed to equip local students with skills that will allow them to secure jobs in the region’s tourism industry. Peter hopes the run will not only raise money but also increase awareness of his charity’s work within Thailand.
In addition to the 1,400km run, a related event, the “Run to Remember 2024” in Bangkok’s Chatuchak Park, will be held on December 15th. Participants can choose to run either 3 kilometres (Fun Run) or 9 kilometres (Mini Marathon), with all proceeds going to support Hands Across the Water.
For further information about CSR/Sponsorship inquiries contact:
Natsima “Deer” Kunajarasdech
Director of Marketing Communications and Fundraising
Hands Across the Water Thailand
Email: deer@handsgroup.org.au
Website: www.handsacrossthewater.org.au
For more information about the “Run to Remember 2024” in Bangkok’s Chatuchak Park:
On-ground run @ Chatuchak Park: https://thai.fit/c/RTR2024
Virtual Run: https://thai.fit/c/rtrvr24