BANGKOK, Thailand – Pasakorn Boonyaluck, the Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), expressed satisfaction with the results of a medium-scale test of the Cell Broadcast emergency alert system on May 7. The test, conducted at 1:00 PM, was held in five locations, including Lampang, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Surat Thani, and Din Daeng district in Bangkok.
The test successfully sent alerts within 30 seconds, confirming the system’s readiness to issue emergency notifications quickly when needed. DDPM officials also reassured the public that the alerts were non-emergency messages and encouraged those receiving signals outside the designated areas not to be alarmed.
Pasakorn noted that the test involved mobile network providers and government agencies to evaluate the system’s coverage and technical performance. He highlighted that although some areas may have received signals outside the intended regions due to system limitations, this was part of the test, and it was not an actual emergency notification.
Regarding the recent earthquake in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pasakorn explained that no emergency alert was issued as the tremor did not meet the required criteria for triggering a notification. The system will be ready for immediate use if needed in the future, and further large-scale tests are planned in locations such as Chiang Mai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Udon Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Bangkok on May 13. (TNA)
