This tsunami early warning
siren operates on Jomtien Beach, even though there is little chance of a
tsunami in the Gulf of Thailand.
Vittaya Yoondorn
The Thai Meteorological Agency reassured Pattaya
residents they have little to fear from earthquakes or tidal waves, even
those like this month’s massive quake off Indonesia.
A temblor measuring 8.6 on the Richter scale struck
Sumatra April 20, 20 miles offshore from Aceh Province, epicenter for the
catastrophic Dec. 26, 2004 earthquake that spawned a tsunami that killed
more than 7,000 people in Thailand and more than 230,000 in Asia.
This time, however, the largest tsunami created was only
about 30 cm. and the largest wave to hit Thailand - in Phuket - was about 7
cm.
Jaruwat Srichaowana of the meteorological agency reminded
Eastern Seaboard residents Pattaya sits on solid earth not subject to
earthquake faults and the Gulf of Thailand is largely protected from the
threat of tidal waves.
Nonetheless, a tsunami warning station is operating in
Jomtien Beach. Jaruwat also encouraged people to take notice of news
bulletins after large earthquakes.
