The annual drill is aimed at educating locals as to what to do in case another tsunami strikes the island and to help local authorities co-ordinate their emergency-response efforts, explained Patong Mayor Chamlermluck Kebsup.
“The exercise helps all official departments to prepare their staff, equipment and plans so that they can improve their disaster-response skills,” she said.
“Meanwhile, local people and businesses get to learn how to save themselves and the people around them.”
In terms of co-ordinating rescue efforts, Rear Admiral Tiansiri Montraiwate, deputy commander of the Royal Thai Navy’s Third Area base at Cape Panwa, pointed out that naval personnel can play a crucial role in the response efforts.
“We can provide rescue boats and helicopters while our aircraft search for survivors,” he said.
“Navy rescue personnel can especially assist in carrying out offshore rescues of marine tour passengers, jet-ski operators or speedboat passengers. We can also produce fresh water and provide emergency food provisions and first aid, too.”
The simulation today had participants evacuate the beach area by using Soi Bangla Road, then gather at the ground-level car park at Jungceylon shopping mall, which is one of the 13 dedicated “safe zones” in the beach resort town.
“It is important for survivors to make their way to the safe zones, as these locations will serve as headquarters where local authorities will gather information and updates about the situation and plan the next step together,” said Mayor Chalermluck.
“Also, medical teams and rescue teams are provided there, as well as food, water and emergency supplies,” she said.
Mayor Chalermluck identified the 13 safe zones in Patong as follows:
• Phra Baramee Soi 7;
• Suwankiriwong Temple (Wat Patong);
• Suwankiriwong Temple School (next to Wat Patong);
• Monthatong Market (at Baan Mon, on Phisit Gorani Road, near Wat Patong),
• Baan Maneesri 2 housing project (on 50 Pi Road);
• Royal Crown Hotel (off Nanai Road);
• Jungceylon shopping mall ground-level car park;
• Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Patong branch (on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road)
• Baan Nanai Community Hall (on Nanai Soi 8);
• Makro (on Nanai Road);
• 50 Pi Road (at the intersection with the road that leads to Chalong),
• Sirirat Rd (in front of the elephant camp at the top of the hill south of Patong)
• Baan Yin Dee Hotel (on Thaweewong Road, but up the hill on the south side of the bridge at the southern end of Patong Beach).