Mr X is appointed by his federation to attend a meeting in Bangkok from 20 to 22 December 2004, to assist in planning the 1st Asian Indoor Games.
Mr X is accompanied by his wife to spend the festive season at the Blue Elephant Hotel in Phuket Beach, Patong, until 5 January.
Early in the morning on 26 December, the couple go to the Swiss Palm Beach for breakfast. Shortly before 11:00 a.m., the wave washes away their hotel on Phuket beach. Luckily the couple manage to escape to the Range Hill viewpoint terrace and alert us at the end of the day.
We then tasked one of our partners with organising the search for the couple and transferring them to Bangkok and Don Mueang International Airport, from where they can fly to their country of residence, Switzerland. All search, transfer and air transport costs are paid for by us without the couple having to pay out any money whatsoever.