MP demands explanation for missing Phuket tsunami towers
A People’s Party (PP) MP for Phuket has appealed to the House Committee on Natural and Public Disasters Prevention and Mitigation concerning the missing tsunami warning towers in the Thalang district.
PP MP Thitikan Thitipruethikul noted that locals have expressed their concern about the removal of tower WH09 from Mai Khao Beach and WH10 from Le Phang Beach. Upon his site visit on December 12 last year, it was evident that the towers had been taken down without prior explanation.
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat clarified on Monday, March 31, that the towers were dismantled for repair work. He stated the Mai Khao tower would be reinstated at its original location, while the Le Phang tower is set to be relocated to Phang Nga province.
Thitikan raised questions about the inability to replace the tower at Le Phang Beach, particularly given the area’s high tourist activity.
He also drew attention to the ongoing issue of missing tsunami buoys in the Andaman Sea, some of which remain non-operational a year later.
He urged government bodies to complete the necessary installations and ensure the maintenance of the towers for effective disaster response.
Emphasising the need for clear communication regarding the installation and removal of warning systems, he sought to prevent public confusion and concern.
Prasertpong Sornnuwat, a PP MP from Krabi, shared similar concerns about non-functional warning towers and buoys, stressing the significance of transparent communication with the public.
Rapassorn Niyamosatha, a PP MP for Lampang and vice-chair of the NPDPM committee, pledged to address the issue within the committee and improve the utilisation of the tsunami buoys available, reported Bangkok Post.
In similar news, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has officially lifted the city’s disaster zone status, declaring the situation “back to normal” after the March 28 earthquake scare.
On March 31, the 58 year old city chief signed an order rescinding the March 28 declaration from the Bangkok Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Centre, which had marked parts of the city as disaster-affected following tremors from a Myanmar earthquake.
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