New alert system to be rolled out for natural disasters in Thailand

The Government of Thailand is set to roll out SMS alerts for natural disasters, ensuring the public is warned of impending danger, Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chanthararuangthong revealed today.

Prasert, who also serves as deputy PM, announced that the decision was made during a high-stakes meeting yesterday, September 23, attended by key players such as the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), mobile operators, and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). The aim? To streamline communication and ensure life-saving warnings reach citizens in time.

Warnings will come in the name of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, with vital information supplied by the relevant agencies.

“For example, if heavy rainfall is expected, the TMD will provide the content. If it’s a landslide, that’s handled by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.”

The SMS system will issue alerts at five levels of severity, advising citizens on how to protect themselves. Prasert pointed out how critical this is, referencing the recent floods in Chiang Rai:

“When disasters like these are predicted, swift warnings can save lives.”

In addition, mobile operators have been tasked with expanding communication channels to enhance the effectiveness of these warnings, while the Public Relations Department will relay alerts via TV.

By mid-next year, the NBTC’s cell broadcast service will go live, allowing disaster warnings to be sent directly to all phones in affected areas without the need for phone numbers, reported The Nation.

In related news, Thailand’s Cabinet approved a request from the Ministry of Interior to allocate 3.04 billion baht (US$91 million) from the central budget to assist flood victims across the country.

This decision, taken at the new Cabinet’s first weekly meeting, will provide financial relief to approximately 338,391 households affected by flooding since May, according to ministry spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul.

In other news, Pattaya is gearing up for a flood-free future as the city’s mayor, Poramet Ngampichet, fast-tracks a massive flood prevention project.