U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expert Kendall Michel (R) and Shannonc Mcarthur (L) inspect the first tsunami detection buoy during the launching ceremony in Phuket, about 862 km (536 miles) south of Bangkok, on December 1, 2006. The U.S.-made buoy will be installed in the Indian ocean about 1000 km off Phuket's shore between Thailand and Sri Lanka. The system is expected to be effective on December 4, 2006.
REUTERS/SUKREE SUKPLANG