Thailand to trial mobile phone-based disaster alert system

The Cell Broadcast System (CBS) will be piloted next month in several areas, including the capital Bangkok, which was badly shaken by the 7.7-magnitude quake in neighbouring Myanmar.

A man looks at an alert displayed on a mobile phone. Telecom operators and regulators on Friday jointly tested a virtual cell broadcast entity system for use in emergency situations such as earthquakes. (Photo:Bangkok Post)
A man looks at an alert displayed on a mobile phone. Telecom operators and regulators on Friday jointly tested a virtual cell broadcast entity system for use in emergency situations such as earthquakes. (Photo:Bangkok Post)

Hanoi (VNA) – Thai authorities announced on April 23 that the country will begin testing a mobile phone-based disaster alert system, following public criticism over the lack of warnings issued during the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar last month and caused damage in Bangkok.

According to Phasakorn Boonyalak, Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the Cell Broadcast System (CBS) will be piloted next month in several areas, including the capital Bangkok, which was badly shaken by the 7.7-magnitude quake in neighbouring Myanmar.

The system will use three mobile networks to deliver warnings "quickly and with wide coverage, both on natural disaster and security threats."

The pilot programme is scheduled to begin on May 2, initially targeting four city hall buildings. The test will be conducted in three phases, with the final and largest phase set to cover all of Bangkok and Chiang Mai province on May 13.

Phasakorn noted that residents' cellphones will get a pop-up message on their screens in both Thai and English, accompanied by a siren. This will be the first public test run of the CBS system, and even tourists using roaming services will also receive the alerts. DDPM aims to issue alerts within 10 minutes of an earthquake.

The earthquake on March 28 left at least 53 people dead after a building under construction collapsed in Bangkok./.

VNA

See more

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, speaks at the dialogue. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam reaffirms continued contributions to UNGA President’s Office

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang called on the UNGA President candidate to promote the issues of Vietnam’s concern during her tenure, including the upholding of and respect for international law and the UN Charter, and ensuring a transparent UN reform process with the full participation of all member states.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (Photo: nationthailand.com)

Thailand outlines strategy for trade talks with US

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Pichai Chunhavajira detailed the strategy, which includes restructuring the agricultural processing sector to address domestic supply shortages and identify areas where US imports can complement Thailand's production chains.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra meets with fruit traders at Government House. (Photo: Thai Government House)

Thai PM announces comprehensive support plan for fruit farmers

The initiative involves direct procurement from farmers through four key channels, namely purchase with intent to distribute domestically, corporate social responsibility initiatives, purchase for consumption in organisations, and procurement by government agencies like the Department of Corrections.

Medicines for malaria treatment (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia builds AI model for malaria diagnosis

The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN) is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to support malaria diagnosis, toward warding off the disease by 2030.

Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra holds a press conference after the cabinet meeting on March 13. (Photo: Government House)

Thailand sends trade proposal to US

Thailand is among the Southeast Asian nations hardest hit by measures introduced by US President Donald Trump, facing a tariff of up to 36% on its exports if a reduction cannot be negotiated before a global moratorium expires in July.

Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri (R) speaks in a meeting on the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) Upgrade in Jakarta on May 9. (Photo: VNA).

Indonesia committed to promoting ATIGA Upgrade

The upgrade seeks to modernise the the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) framework, making it more facilitative for businesses and responsive to regional and global challenges.