Bangkok: The NBTC office has announced the launch of a dedicated hotline, 1531, for the Department of Public Works to receive free reports of buildings affected by earthquakes. This initiative underscores the NBTC office’s commitment to providing timely assistance to the public during disasters, a responsibility that does not require approval from the NBTC chairman or the NBTC itself.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Trirat Viriyasirikul, Deputy Secretary-General and Acting Secretary-General of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), clarified recent misconceptions surrounding the delay in sending earthquake warning SMS messages. He emphasized that the NBTC Office independently manages the operation of these alerts without needing input from the NBTC Chairman or a formal meeting.
In response to the recent earthquake, a special hotline was established this morning, March 30, 2025, following a meeting with relevant agencies. This hotline enables free communication with the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning to report affected buildings. The NBTC Office is prioritizing urgent public assistance in such emergencies.
Mr. Trirat also stated that the NBTC office plans to engage with Apple to explore unlocking systems for cell broadcast support and will also reach out to LINE Thailand to discuss sending warning messages via the platform. The cell broadcast system will undergo testing with mobile phone service providers to address any technical limitations of the current SMS warning process. The NBTC office is committed to finding alternative solutions and ensuring that all relevant government agencies collaborate to enhance crisis response efficiency.