Bangkok: Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Assoc. Prof. Thawida Kamolvej, observed the testing of the Cell Broadcast mobile phone warning system at the middle level in Din Daeng District, as part of efforts to enhance disaster preparedness. This test is a precursor to a major system evaluation scheduled for May 13, which will encompass the entire city of Bangkok.
According to Thai News Agency, the test was conducted by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Public Relations Department, and mobile phone network providers including AIS, TRUE, and NT. The demonstration took place at Meeting Room 1, 6th Floor, Department of Public Works, Bangkok City Hall, Din Daeng, with Ms. Chutisa Satsara, Director of Din Daeng District, serving as the incident commander.
Deputy Governor Thawida highlighted the efficiency of the phone signal across Bangkok, noting that all networks successfully sent notifications on time at 1:00 p.m., unlike a delay experienced in Mueang Lampang District. She emphasized the importance of timely notifications, especially in disaster scenarios, and pointed out the need for effective management and control of the system to prevent errors. The Deputy Governor stressed the significance of having knowledgeable personnel at the source to handle potential system failures.
Additionally, Deputy Governor Thawida outlined plans for integrating the Cell Broadcast system into Bangkok's disaster management framework. She indicated that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is preparing for various disaster scenarios, including floods, crimes, accidents, fires, building collapses, epidemics, and chemical leaks. The BMA aims to include the Cell Broadcast system in its action plans and collaborate with other agencies for comprehensive disaster management.
In the upcoming year, a Level 2 disaster drill focused on water rescue will be conducted, utilizing the authority of the Bangkok governor and resources from multiple districts. The drill will likely incorporate the Cell Broadcast warning system to further evaluate its effectiveness.
The current test marked the second round of trials using Cell Broadcast (CB) technology at the district level in five areas: Mueang Lampang District, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Mueang Nakhon Sawan District, Mueang Surat Thani District, and Din Daeng District, Bangkok. Residents in these areas received a message and an automatic warning sound via their mobile phones for approximately 8-10 seconds.
The subsequent large-scale test is scheduled for May 13, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., covering five provincial areas: Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Bangkok. Following the completion of all tests, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation will assess the results to prepare for a national system test across all 77 provinces.
