BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Minister of Interior Jeseth Thaiseth reassured the public about the country’s tsunami warning capabilities after reports of a malfunctioning detection buoy in the Andaman Sea sparked concern on social media. The Deputy Minister emphasized that the national warning system relies on an integrated network of international data, seismic monitors, and coastal sea-level stations, all governed by a rigorous Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), rather than a single buoy.
The Deputy Minister stated that the government can issue immediate alerts through multiple channels, including direct Cell Broadcast messages to mobile phones in high-risk areas. He encouraged the public to remain vigilant but not panic, and confirmed that the Ministry of Interior and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) are continuously monitoring the situation as a top priority.
DDPM Director-General Theerapat Katchamat explained that strong southwest monsoon waves likely caused the buoy to drift. GPS tracking places the buoy about 111 kilometers from Koh Phayam in Ranong and 44 kilometers from the Surin Islands in Phang Nga. The DDPM, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Navy, is preparing a recovery mission and plans to install a replacement buoy in November 2026, when sea conditions are safe for large oceanographic research vessels. Officials confirmed that the temporary loss of the Andaman Sea buoy does not compromise Thailand’s tsunami warning capabilities. The Minister emphasized that the integrated multi-agency surveillance system remains fully operational and capable of providing timely and accurate alerts to the public. (NNT)
