Thailand is reinforcing its national disaster alert capabilities with updated protocols and expanded inter-agency coordination, following a high-level meeting on April 17, 2025, aimed at enhancing early warning systems for earthquakes, floods, and other natural hazards.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) convened the meeting as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national preparedness. The agenda focused on aligning communication strategies among agencies and improving the speed and clarity of public warnings. Key outcomes included agreements to revise and harmonize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure more efficient and unified emergency alerts.
Under the revised framework, the Seismological Division of the Meteorological Department will continue to issue initial alerts for seismic activity, while the DDPM will be responsible for public dissemination of the warnings. In addition to earthquake readiness, participating agencies shared operational plans for floods and related emergencies, reinforcing a whole-of-government approach to disaster response.
A major highlight from the meeting was the announcement of a soft launch for Thailand’s new Cell Broadcast emergency alert system. Large-scale testing of the system is scheduled in partnership with mobile network providers. Authorities confirmed that the public will be informed in advance of the alert tests via multiple communication channels, including television, radio, and online platforms.
The meeting brought together representatives from the Department of Mineral Resources, the Water Resources Department, and other relevant government bodies. DDPM Director-General Pasakorn Boonyalak, who chaired the session, stressed the increasing frequency and unpredictability of natural disasters and underscored the importance of keeping emergency response mechanisms up to date.
