Thai Meteorologist Predicted Tsunami - Forced to Retire

[disillusioned1]

Ostracized Forecaster Predicted Tsunami

Wed Jan 12, 8:26 AM ET Science - AP

By SUTIN WANNABOVORN, Associated Press Writer

BANGKOK, Thailand - Until two weeks ago, Smith Thammasaroj was a prophet without honor. As chief of Thailand's meteorological department in 1998, he was accused of scare-mongering when he warned that the country's southwest coast could face a deadly tsunami.

He retired under a shadow, dismissed as a crackpot, accused of causing panic and jeopardizing a critical tourist industry that grew up around the tropical resort island of Phuket.

Today, Smith is being lionized for his foresight after the devastating Dec. 26 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed more than 150,000 people around the region, including 5,300 in Thailand, where 3,600 more are listed as missing.

Less than a week after the tragedy, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra appointed Smith as a vice minister and put him in charge of the newly established National Disaster Warning Office, which will work with seismologists to establish a tsunami early warning system.

...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=624&ncid=624&e=3&u=/ap/20050112/ap_on_sc/tsunami_weather_forecaster

Please read the entire article - those who were on duty that day were afraid to warn people due to damaging the tourist industry in Thailand. What a major, major screw up.

[LibertyorDeath]

1. I predict the West Coast of North America

Will be hit by a devastating Earth Quake.

No need to lionize me.

[whistle]

2. And when will this occurr...specific date, time and point of....

...the epicenter. If you can do that and are correct I can assure you that we will be offered sainthood.