Bangkok: Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra held an urgent meeting to address the recent earthquake situation in Thailand, focusing on the delayed delivery of SMS alerts to the public. The meeting, which took place at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), was attended by key figures including Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers from various departments, as well as provincial governors from all 76 provinces.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of timely communication following the earthquake, which occurred at 13:20. He stressed the need for relevant agencies to ensure the speedy dissemination of SMS alerts. Mr. Phasakorn Boonyalak, Director-General of the DDPM, explained that the department's earthquake monitoring unit collaborates with the Meteorological Department to report such incidents. They notified the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to send SMS alerts to the public, but the first notification was delayed until 14:42.
Mr. Trirat Viriyasirikul, Deputy and Acting Secretary-General of the NBTC, clarified that the delay was due to the large volume of messages being sent, which currently stands at 200,000 numbers at a time. Efforts are underway to increase this capacity to 1,000,000 numbers. The first SMS alert covered four provinces, and subsequent alerts expanded to all 76 provinces. The messages advised the public on safety measures and coordination with the Meteorological Department regarding aftershocks.
The Prime Minister criticized the slow dissemination of alerts, noting that the messages did not reach everyone promptly. He emphasized the need for a fully operational cell broadcasting system by mid-year to ensure comprehensive coverage. He also raised concerns about whether foreign nationals with Thai SIM cards receive these alerts.
In response to the earthquake, the Ministry of Transport, led by Mr. Chaiyatham Promsorn, temporarily suspended public transport services to inspect infrastructure safety. Air, rail, and water transit systems were halted, with a focus on elevated and underground structures. The air section was closed for an hour for safety checks, and the road infrastructure was thoroughly inspected.
The Prime Minister urged for clear communication regarding route closures and potential hazards. He emphasized the importance of having a plan to inform the public via SMS about any transport disruptions.
Mr. Pichit Sombatmak, Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources, reported over 100 aftershocks, though they were of decreasing intensity. He noted that the aftershocks are moving northward, reducing the impact on Thailand. He confirmed that current monitoring indicates no significant threat to Thailand and reiterated the absence of technology to predict earthquakes in advance.