BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Interior has introduced “T-Alert,” a nationwide early warning system that delivers disaster alerts directly to people in at-risk areas. The system was officially launched on September 22 by Permanent Secretary Arsit Sampantharat at a seminar and press conference in Bangkok.
Using Cell Broadcast technology, T-Alert can send real-time alerts to mobile phones across the country. Messages provide details on ongoing or forecast disasters, along with safety instructions. The system, supported by satellite-based equipment and tsunami detection buoys, is now regarded as a model for disaster preparedness in ASEAN.
At present, T-Alert covers eight hazards: earthquakes, tsunamis, windstorms, floods, landslides, cold spells, PM2.5 air pollution, and violence in public spaces. By the end of 2026, it will expand to six more categories, including epidemics, hazardous chemical incidents, terrorism, transport-related accidents, cyber threats, and other risks.
Domestic earthquakes prompt warnings at magnitude 4.0 or higher, while quakes in the Andaman Sea exceeding 7.5 trigger tsunami alerts. Cold spell warnings are issued when temperatures drop below 7.9 degrees Celsius, and PM2.5 alerts are activated at concentrations of 75 micrograms per cubic meter or above. Flood and landslide alerts rely on local field data to ensure precision.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, through the National Disaster Warning Center, developed T-Alert in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, and three major mobile operators—AIS, True, and NT. (NNT)
