Panic button: Thailand to blast phones with emergency alert tests
Don’t panic if your phone suddenly screams at you in May — it’s not the end of the world, just a test. Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has announced a nationwide test of its emergency Cell Broadcast alert system, with thousands of phones set to blare warnings across selected locations.
The staged tests are scheduled for May 2, 7, and 13 and aim to fine-tune the country’s readiness in the event of a real crisis.
The trial will roll out in three waves, small, medium, and large, all kicking off at exactly 1pm on their respective days. Each alert will feature a loud warning tone and an on-screen message in both Thai and English, reassuring users that no action is required.
“This is a test message from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). No action required,” the message will read. “โปรดอย่าตื่นตระหนก” — or in English, “please do not panic.”
On Friday, May 2, a small-scale indoor test will hit five locations, including Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Suphan Buri, Songkhla, and both Buildings A and B at the Bangkok Government Complex.
Next up, on Wednesday, May 7, five district-level tests will take place in Mueang districts across Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surat Thani, and Din Daeng in Bangkok.
Finally, the grand finale comes on Tuesday, May 13, with a full-scale, province-wide test in Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Bangkok.
According to a DDPM spokesperson, these tests are crucial to ensure the system works efficiently when a real emergency strikes.
“We want to ensure that when the time comes, the alert reaches everyone clearly and quickly.”
The Cell Broadcast system is designed to override silent or do-not-disturb modes on phones, ensuring messages cut through during critical moments like natural disasters, civil emergencies, or public safety threats, reported The Nation.
So if your phone blares unexpectedly in early May, stay calm, don’t run, and remember: it’s just a drill.
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