Top official dispells Phuket tsunami rumors

PHUKET: The director of the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC), the agency in Thailand that issues tsunami warnings, yesterday called on people to ignore rumors that a tsunami will strike Thailand.

NDWC Director Somsak Khaosuwan was in Phuket to lead public information seminars about natural disasters. The seminars were held at Wat Suwan Kiriwong School in Patong.

Mr Somsak said the rumors that a tsunami would strike were unfounded and he urged people to trust the NDWC’s tsunami warning system.

In December the NDWC launched two tsunami direct-detection buoys in the Andaman Sea. The first buoy was installed 250 kilometers west of Phuket, and the second 150km west of Phang Nga.

The two buoys were deployed after the previous sole direct-detection buoy failed when its battery ran out in June 2009.

“Most importantly, people should use their own judgment regarding any information from any media and they should pay attention to information released by the Meteorological Department and the NDWC,” Mr Somsak said.

The seminars held yesterday aimed to educate the public on what to do in case of disasters, such as tsunamis, earthquakes, mudslides, floods, cyclones, forest fires and droughts.

Among those attending the talks were teachers and students of Wat Suwan Kiriwong School, representatives from local organizations and residents in Patong.