On March 28, Myanmar’s earth shook violently, sending a ripple of anxiety through Thailand as a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit. Unfortunately, the still-under-construction new State Audit Office bore witness to the chaos as it tumbled during the seismic upheaval. In a matter of minutes, questions swirled over Thailand’s preparedness and response to such natural calamities.
The country’s natural disaster alert and response systems were under the spotlight, revealing significant room for improvement. The mishaps were not due to a lack of technology, but a flaw in communication and coordination, as experts later emphasized.
Spearheading these revelations was Seree Supratid, the director of the Climate Change and Disaster Centre at Rangsit University. Appointed by the Interior Minister as an adviser to the National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC), Seree lamented the inefficiencies that plagued the system. Reflecting on his early tenure at the NDWC when it was established back in 2005, he noticed that bureaucratic hurdles had lingered.
“I’ve observed numerous systemic loopholes,” Seree said, explaining that information dissemination felt like a game of telephone, where messages were passed from one agency to another—each adding its own delay. He suggested a model where agencies operate like parallel circuits, disseminating information independently and promptly.
He stressed that the NDWC should not await information from agencies like the Meteorological Department during crises. Speedy alerts should be issued while continuously cross-checking data to ensure accuracy. During the recent quake, cautionary text messages took far too long to reach the citizens—an hour and twenty-two minutes post-quake to be exact.
Though the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) was quick to defend, stating messages were sent shortly after receiving information, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was dissatisfied. She insisted that capacities be increased to reach more recipients promptly in future emergencies, especially as the cell broadcast technology awaited full implementation.
Meticulously outlining its benefits, Seree explained the upcoming cell broadcast service (CBS) system. Scheduled for launch on August 1, the CBS system aims to deliver alerts across mobile networks instantly, keeping people informed and alert during emergencies.
He further stated the importance of swift and accurate alerts in preventing panic and guiding public safety. The Meteorological Department, while initially identifying seismic activities, collaborates with the NDWC to provide detailed, ongoing updates. Such collaborative effort is pivotal in a city like Bangkok, which despite its distance from the Myanmar epicenter, felt tremors disruptingly.
The recent trembler brought corporate and public infrastructures into consideration. Leading from the forefront was the Thailand Structural Engineers Association, whose president, Amorn Pimanmas, urged building inspections to allay fears of structural instability. High-rise owners were recommended to leverage services like Traffy Fondue, where volunteer engineers could conduct inspections for reassurance.
Installation of innovative vibration measurement tools was another proactive measure. Already placed at strategic spots like City Hall, these instruments offer real-time insights into structural responses during seismic events.
Meanwhile, Itthaboon Onwongsa, representing Thailand Consumers’ Council (TCC), flagged the stubborn dilatoriness of the CBS system’s implementation—a call that resonates back to the 2023 incident at Siam Paragon. The necessity of technology that caters to the visually and hearing impaired was a further prevalent demand, ensuring no stone is left unturned in safeguarding the public.
“The government cannot abandon its people to natural disasters unaided. It is its duty to ensure timely information and guidance, protecting every citizen equally,” he stated, encapsulating a sentiment many shared post-March 28.
As Thailand’s administrative and technological echelons gear up to address these gaps, the March quake serves both as a catastrophe and a calling—prompting revolutionary introspection into disaster management and a commitment to stronger, faster systems.
Seree Supratid is right to point out the flaws, but why did it take a disaster for these issues to come to light? Our taxes should cover preparedness!
True, Anna. It’s frustrating when governments wait for tragedies to make improvements. Better future planning is needed.
Exactly, and it’s not like this is the first earthquake we’ve experienced! We deserve a properly functioning alert system.
Emergency responses are complex. You can’t just fix it overnight, it requires systematic changes.
Understandable, Sarah, but we should have seen some of these ‘systematic changes’ already in place since 2005.
The idea of using cell broadcast technology is great! But why does it take so long to roll out these systems?
Agreed. It’s 2025, and we’re talking about cell broadcasts like it’s revolutionary. It’s been used in other countries successfully.
That’s what’s confusing, Cooper. It feels like Thailand is lagging on technology adoption.
I don’t get why people are complaining. At least they’re planning to improve things with better tech.
Itthaboon is right about the need for systems for the visually and hearing impaired being integrated into these plans.
Absolutely. Inclusivity should be a priority, not an afterthought.
Sometimes it seems like the government forgets that not everyone fits into their neat little boxes of ‘normal’.
Let’s hope they’re serious about changing that! It’s about time.
Honestly, agencies working on parallel circuits is a no-brainer! They should ditch the telephone game-style communication.
Everyone’s quick to blame the government, but what about individuals taking responsibility? People should have emergency kits and plans in place.
Right, but shouldn’t we trust the systems meant to protect us more than hoping everyone is personally prepared?
Personal preparedness is key, but relying solely on it is unrealistic.
The Thai government has always been slow on these matters. We’ve been demanding better disaster management for years!
Structural issues can only be fixed with proper enforcement of building codes. Inspections are great but they won’t fix bad construction.
I worry more about nature’s unpredictability than any flawed response system. You can’t always outsmart the earth.
True, Mother Nature is powerful, but human readiness can drastically reduce the impact of her surprises.
I see your point. It’s a balance between respect for nature and modern preparedness tech.
It feels like the government makes a lot of promises but doesn’t deliver. Will this time be different?
I hope so, Tasha. We can’t afford to mess up disaster responses. People’s lives depend on it.
Bet they’ll forget these lessons in a few months. Always reactive, never proactive.
The government can’t manage everything! Corporates should also ensure their buildings are up-to-date.
Why does the CBS system feel like another bureaucratic delay waiting to happen? Maybe they just want to look busy.
It will be interesting to watch whether the CBS rollout actually makes a significant impact.
Quake readiness isn’t just about tech. It’s about economic priorities, and I fear disaster prep is low on the list.
If they really prioritize safety, they’ll act fast. We need actionable plans, not just reports.