Bangkok: The Prime Minister has called on the Ministry of Interior to expedite the implementation of the Cell Broadcast system, aiming for it to be operational by early July. This system is intended to provide timely warnings to the public in the event of disasters, with a particular emphasis on earthquake alerts following the recent collapse of the Office of the Auditor General's building. The government has set a 90-day deadline to determine the cause of this collapse.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra discussed Thailand's response to its first significant earthquake on March 28, 2025, during her program "Thai Opportunity with Prime Minister Paethongtarn." At the time of the earthquake, she was in Phuket and promptly transitioned from a local meeting to a virtual one with relevant agencies, declaring a state of emergency in Bangkok. The Prime Minister highlighted the necessity for Thailand to enhance its emergency preparedness, emphasizing coordinated efforts with the Bangkok governor and other officials to manage the situation and evacuate people from at-risk areas.
The Prime Minister also convened a meeting with related agencies to address the inefficiencies in the SMS alert system experienced during the earthquake. The existing system was only able to send 1,000 messages, taking 5-6 hours to reach the public. This prompted a push for the accelerated deployment of the Cell Broadcast system, capable of disseminating emergency alerts to millions simultaneously. This system is seen as crucial for not only earthquake alerts but also for other emergencies like floods or civil unrest.
She also addressed the ongoing investigation into the collapse of the Office of the Auditor General's building, urging a thorough and swift fact-finding process. Coordination with the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning is underway to simulate the event and ascertain the cause of the collapse, with a report expected in 90 days. The Prime Minister expressed frustration over the delay in conclusions and emphasized the importance of legal action if any procedural misconduct is discovered.
The Prime Minister reassured the public of the government's commitment to support all affected individuals, regardless of nationality, and stressed the importance of maintaining high construction standards in Bangkok to withstand potential earthquakes. Efforts are ongoing to assist families of the deceased and missing persons, with the search and recovery operations expected to conclude within a week.
She concluded by affirming the government's readiness for any future earthquakes, with established protocols for incident reporting, survival, and emergency response. The Prime Minister emphasized that all systems are well-prepared and managed to ensure public safety.