Thailand focuses grim search for dead on hardest hit districts

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2005

BAAN NAM KHEM, Thailand (AFP) — Thai officials are narrowing their grim search for bodies to focus on districts worst hit by killer tsunamis, including this fishing town where police say thousands are missing.

Eight days after tidal waves ripped into southwestern tourist resorts and fishing areas, the country's confirmed death toll remained at 4,993 including 2,461 foreign holidaymakers, with 3,810 missing.

Reports from devastated areas suggested the death toll would eventually rise sharply -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has predicted 7,000-8,000 dead.

Environment Minister Suvit Khunkitti, quoted by local newspapers, said the collection of bodies in most areas is expected to end Wednesday.

The focus would be on a few places where many victims...