Survivors of the Boxing Day Tsunami and relatives of those who were killed joined memorials in Thailand today on the 20th anniversary of the disaster.

Footage shows families laying flowers in Phuket and Phang Nga provinces on the east coast of the country, where at least 5,046 people died.

The tsunami, which was caused by a magnitude 9.1 earthquake, killed up to 280,000 people across six countries on December 26, 2004. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand had the highest fatalities.

The disaster displaced millions, caused widespread destruction, and led to international humanitarian efforts on an unprecedented scale.

Local official Siwat Rawangkun chaired religious ceremonies for Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims before placing flowers at the Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park in Phang Nga.

Many locals and foreign tourists also brought offerings and flowers to mourn their loved ones.

Wanwisa Nonthong, a 37-year-old local, said that she still could not forget the incident as she lost three family members in the tragedy and continues to mourn for them.

After the event, she became more proactive in dealing with tsunamis by learning about it, downloading earthquake warning applications, and practising evacuation procedures.

In Phuket, Patong mayor Chalermsak Maneesri chaired the ceremony at Patong Beach, joined by government officials and locals.

Thai and foreign participants placed flowers on a table to mourn the victims of the incident.

Chalermsak said that the event was not only a tribute to those lost but also aimed to raise awareness among locals.

He also emphasised the importance of cooperation between the public, private, and community sectors in preparing for emergencies and boosting tourists' confidence.