Patong gets disaster warning system
PATONG: An emergency alarm system has been installed in Patong and will be handed over to Patong Municipality tomorrow. The system will also be tested.
The system will feature seven alarms, outside Kalim School, at Loma Park, outside the Bank of Asia branch, at the Sai Nam Yen intersection, outside the Baan Yin Dee Hotel, outside Suwan Keree school, and at the Sea Pearl Hotel intersection.
Receivers attached to each alarm will pick up signals transmitted from the warning centre’s base in the municipality’s public relations department.
The 560,000-baht system is being donated by its manufacturer, UA Thai Industry Co of Nakhon Pathom, whose Managing Director, Surin Aramcharoen, said the company was giving the system to Patong because it is a tourist area.
He added that it can be linked to monitors in the sea to warn of impending tsunamis.
He explained, “If there were a satellite warning system under the sea and we could pick up the satellite signal, the machine could automatically issue an alert.”
Patong Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukbal said, “If we learn about an earthquake or other impending disaster, the new system will allow us to warn people about it, and about how severe it is likely to be.
“It will be a temporary measure while we wait for the new government warning system to be installed.”
