Seminar on natural disasters

PHUKET CITY: Government officers and people involved in the hotel trade and other tourism-related businesses in the six Andaman provinces struck by the December 26 tsunami gathered at the Royal Phuket City Hotel on April 30 for a seminar on “earth-based natural disasters”.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

The aim was for those taking part to learn more about earth-based natural disasters, how to mitigate their effects, and how to respond to them quickly and efficiently.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat said the event helped to clarify which organizations should be responsible for which aspect of mitigation and response.

K. Yongyuth said that a book on natural disasters, published by the DMR, will be placed in schools, public libraries and government offices.

The book is currently available in Thai only, said K. Yongyuth, but he added that a version in English will be available soon.

Said K. Yongyuth, “We hope that, after taking part in this seminar, hotel and tourism business owners will have a better understanding of their responsibilities with regard to such natural disasters.

“We hope, too, that we can get the word out that Thailand is still a safe destination, that tourists can be confident that they are safe when they stay with us.”