Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong presided over the event on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, said an official report of the occasion, held at the Phuket Deep Sea Port at Cape Panwa.
“The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation works around the clock to monitor and issue disaster warnings. It gathers and integrates data from both domestic and international sources to analyze and assess potential disaster situations. The findings are then shared with provincial and local authorities, as well as the public, through all disaster warning channels, following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP),” the report noted, without citing any particular person.
“This process aims to reduce disaster risks, help agencies plan for crisis response, and effectively manage disasters, including issuing timely tsunami warnings,” the report added.
“This initiative follows the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, which caused significant loss of life and property. The disaster raised awareness among government agencies, the private sector, and the public about the importance of addressing tsunami threats, particularly in the six Andaman coastal provinces,” the report continued.
“The installation of tsunami detection systems in the Andaman Sea and Indian Ocean aims to create a reliable network for monitoring and issuing early tsunami warnings to coastal countries in the region. This ensures that communities receive clear and timely information, enabling them to prepare for evacuation and enhancing safety for both residents and tourists,” the report said.
The two tsunami warning buoys will be installed at their usual locations. Station 23461, a grey ‘DART’ buoy, will be installed about 340km northwest of Phuket. Station 23401, a larger yellow buoy, will be installed about 965km west-northwest of Phuket, in the Bay of Bengal.
However, according to the National Data Buoy Center, operated by the the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Station 23461 has not transmitted any data for at least the past 45 days.
Likewise,Station 23401 also has not transmitted any data in the past 45 days.
The official report of the ‘launch event’ yesterday did not make any mention of whether this latest “mission”, as it was called, was to replace two missing tsunami warning buoys, or whether it was the regular replacement of the buoys after two years in operation.
Regardless, the official report to the public yesterday said, “The DDPM, tasked with providing 24-hour disaster monitoring and warnings, integrates data from domestic and international sources to assess risks and issue timely alerts. These warnings are shared through various channels with local authorities, agencies, and the public, aligning with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for disaster management.”
Vice Governor Adul emphasised the significance of the initiative, recalling the devastating impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which caused extensive loss of life and property in Thailand’s six Andaman coastal provinces.
He urged the public, local organizations, and fishermen to support the maintenance and protection of the tsunami detection system, warning towers, and related equipment to ensure their long-term effectiveness.
“This system is a crucial tool in minimising disaster risks, safeguarding lives, and providing peace of mind for both residents and tourists. By working together, we can ensure these systems remain operational and ready to respond to emergencies,” Vice Governor Adul said.
WORKING TOGETHER
Meanwhile, DDPM Deputy Director-General Sahat Wongskulwiwat was at the the Courtyard Marriott Phuket Town yesterday to officiate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with eight key agencies to enhance the monitoring and maintenance of tsunami detection buoys.
“The initiative aims to boost disaster warning systems, ensuring the safety and confidence of residents and tourists in the region,’ another official report said.
Representatives from partner organizations, including the Royal Thai Navy, Department of Fisheries, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Marine Department, National Maritime Interests Protection Center, Thai Fisheries Association, Thai Community Foundation, and Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), joined the event.
Of note, SEAFDEC provides the ship that is usually called on to recover and deploy the tsunami warning buoys.
The MoU renewed a prior commitment that expired on Nov 17, 2024, focusing on ensuring tsunami detection systems remain operational, effective and capable of delivering timely warnings.
The collaboration aims to strengthen readiness across six southern provinces and prepare communities for potential evacuations in the event of a tsunami, the official report of the event noted.
The event also featured a seminar, titled ‘20 Years of Tsunamis and Future Warnings in Thailand’, “reflecting on advancements in disaster preparedness since the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami”.
Experts discussed risk management plans for tsunami-prone areas, emerging technologies and innovations in disaster warning systems. Participants highlighted the importance of accurate and timely dissemination of disaster news to prevent public panic and promote peace of mind, the report concluded.