Opinion: Bad timing for Phuket’s full-scale tsunami drill

PHUKET: The announcement of plans to conduct a full-scale tsunami evacuation drill in Phuket on Christmas Day was a surprise (story here), given that the next day marks the 10th anniversary of the most horrific loss of life and devastation in the island’s recorded history.

Thankfully, the inevitable complaints about the timing have been lodged, and hopefully it is not too late to reschedule the exercises for a more appropriate time (story here).

It is unlikely that officials set the date completely unaware of the sensitivities surrounding the day, as thousands affected by the tsunami are expected to join the island in remembering those who died in the waves a decade ago.

It is more likely that officials hoped to wiggle into the spotlight and give media reports a positive spin as journalists from countries around the world prepare to cover the 10th anniversary.

Already, the Gazette has been contacted by several journalists searching for either leads for survivors’ stories or contacts to explain the details of the tsunami warning system – which took years to become fully functional.

In addition to remembering the tragedy and attempting to understand how the region has changed since, the question the world will be asking is a fair one: will we be ready next time?

It is important for Phuket – the international media’s sweetheart Thai isle – to show the world how prepared Thailand is. There have been plenty of publicized setbacks, from warning buoys going missing in the Indian Ocean to thieves stealing copper wiring from the warning towers. Nonetheless, officials have persisted, and though there have been no flawless evacuation drills – there has been an upward trend of improvement.

But to force survivors, who might be returning to the island for the first time, to witness any actions that could invoke such vivid images of that devastating day is going too far, and sadly does not promote the island, but makes its governance seem overwhelmingly insensitive. Governor Nisit Jansomwong should be praised for showing some respect by reconsidering the date of the drills.

There is no reason to subject survivors, who may never again return to Phuket, to the sounds of practice sirens – which sound alarmingly similar to the real thing – or the realistic “victims” in Halloween-style makeup being attended to by medics.

Statistically speaking, these drills are more important for those of us who spend our lives day in and day out on the island. We need to know not only how to react, but how to help tourists also make it to safety.

Having this drill so close to the 10th anniversary does nothing to improve the safety of those here and might very likely backfire as a media stunt. With this in mind, we hope that the government chooses to be more sensitive toward those who have lost so much, and perhaps answer the world’s question about whether or not we are ready a week or two later.