The request was made to Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Pornchai Rujiprapa, and Deputy Minister of Interior, Suthee Markboon, during their visit to the island on Friday (August 14).
Mr Pornchai and Mr Suthee were on the island to preside over a meeting held to discuss the tsunami emergency systems in the six Andaman provinces (Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, Phuket, Trang and Satun).
Also in attendance at the meeting were Chatchai Promlert, Director of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, governors and vice governors of all six Andaman provinces and officials from the National Disaster Warning Centre.
Speaking at the meeting, Phuket Vice Governor Dr Pallop Singhasaenee said, “The tsunami high risk areas in Phuket are Mai Khao, Cherng Talay, Thalang, Patong, Kathu, Rawai, and Muang.
“All together we have 19 emergency warning towers, seven signal intercepting machines, three antennas and 15 mobile broadcast systems to warn of tsunamis.
“We also have the Phuket Disaster Control Centre which follows tsunami forecasts. If it is possible that a tsunami can come close to the island this centre will report directly to the National Disaster Warning Centre which will then turn on the warning sirens and advise residents to follow evacuation procedures.”
Dr Pallop also explained that Phuket has 55 temporary shelters which can be set up at evacuation points and can accommodate about 200 people each, and that emergency training and evacuation drills are held regularly in Patong and also at Leam Tukkae, where the most recent was held.
However, Dr Pallop went on to say that what is needed is a supporting budget which will be used to build three more towers at Ao Makham pier in Wichit, Yacht Haven in Mai Khao and Nai Harn Lake in Karon.
It will also be used to purchase new tsunami evauation route signs to replace old ones which have become illegible.
“We need to install new signs in the Kata-Karon area to provide safety for our residents and tourists,” said Dr Pallop.
“We also want the National Disaster Warning Centre to add a landslide warning system which the Department of Water Resources has set up for Phuket,” he added.
Mr Pornchai said, “All departments who are responsible and involved with the tsunami warning system must take this task seriously. They need to warn residents if there is an emergency so that they have time to move to evacuation areas.
“All local officials must work together as a team to solve every issue that could arise. All emergency warning towers must be in good working condition and evacuation routes must be specific, clear and easy to follow on evacuation signs. All details about the towers and signs must be sent to the Minister of State for consideration.”
Mr Suthee urged every department to do their best for the people to help reduce lives and assets lost.
“If we encounter an earthquake of 7.8 Richters or more an SMS must be sent to residents immediately, and all emergency equipment, buoys and sirens must be ready to use.”
At present their are a total of 129 warning towers in the six Andaman provinces: 32 in Krabi,18 in Phang Nga, 19 in Phuket, 13 in Ranong, 22 in Satun, and 25 in Trang.
It is believed that if all of these towers are in good working condition they will be enough to warn all residents in the area.