Phuket to stage tsunami drill at Kamala Beach
Sun, surf… and sirens? Tourists and locals on Phuket’s Kamala Beach are set to witness a full-scale tsunami emergency drill as Thailand prepares for the worst with one of its biggest disaster response simulations to date.
From June 24 to 27, the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) will take part in the Crisis Management Exercise: C-MEX 25, a nationwide emergency simulation designed to test and strengthen the country’s disaster readiness.
“This is a Level 3 national command exercise,” said Wichit Sutthaso, Chief of DDPM Phuket, during a briefing on Tuesday, April 22.
“Our focus in Phuket will be practical training at Kamala Beach, involving tourists, residents, and multiple response teams.”
The drill will simulate a tsunami emergency and include five hands-on training stations: evacuation and warnings, search and rescue, emergency medical care, shelter setup, and water rescue.
Participants will range from disaster officials and medical staff to local volunteers and beachgoers caught in the pretend panic.
Behind the scenes, command and coordination exercises will also take place at Phuket Provincial Hall, working in sync with the central DDPM command in Bangkok.
“The goal is to improve disaster response, enhance coordination between agencies, and build public confidence in our ability to handle real emergencies.”
Notably, the simulation will be held exclusively at Kamala Beach. Other well-known areas, including Mai Khao, Kata, and Ley Phang Beaches, will not be involved in this year’s exercise.
According to Wichit, this decision was made because Mai Khao and Ley Phang currently have no tsunami warning towers, and the siren at Kata Beach is under repair, a situation that highlights ongoing concerns about the readiness of some key tourist zones.
C-MEX 25 is part of a broader national strategy to ensure that coastal regions, particularly high-risk areas like Phuket, are equipped to act swiftly and effectively in the face of natural disasters, reported The Phuket News.
So if you hear sirens on Kamala Beach this June, don’t panic, it’s just a test. But for the officials running the show, it’s deadly serious preparation for a disaster they hope never comes.
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