The opening ceremony was held at the auspicious time of 9:09am yesterday (May 18), presided over by Vice Admiral Veerudom Muangchin, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy Region 3, with PPAO President Rewat Areerob delivering the project report.
Senior military and administrative officials attended, including Major General Somkid Boonchot, Commander of the 41st Military Circle, along with local leaders, and Phuket Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation representatives.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Rewat said, “Phuket’s rapid tourism and economic expansion, combined with increasingly volatile weather conditions, has heightened the province’s exposure to floods, landslides, fires, and marine accidents.”
He pointed to recent incidents in Karon and Chalong as key examples underscoring the need for a fully equipped, rapidly deployable response centre in the north of the island.
“This centre will serve as a central hub for cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation, integrating policy, personnel, resources and volunteer networks to ensure rapid assistance to the public 24 hours a day,” he said.
The facility, located on more than 14 rai of state land in the Tha Chatchai area, was transferred from the Treasury Department to the PPAO for development. The site includes three buildings previously left idle for years before renovation works were carried out.
Mr Rewat said “The centre will also function as a training base for emergency drills, disaster response coordination, and medical support operations, while serving as a mobilisation point for volunteer rescue organisations.”
DELAYED
The opening follows years of delays surrounding the same government-built complex, which was originally constructed under a central budget to enhance disaster response capacity at the northern gateway to Phuket.
The site had previously remained unused for an extended period due to incomplete works and structural deterioration, before being transferred to the PPAO for rehabilitation.
Repair works were later undertaken to make the buildings operational, allowing the site to be formally activated as the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre.
The site has previously been subject to scrutiny over its long period of inactivity.
According to earlier inspections by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Phuket office, the project was originally valued at around B131 million and was intended for completion nearly a decade ago, but construction was delayed and the buildings were left unused for years.
Repairs worth approximately B1.37mn were later approved after the PPAO took over the site in 2024, with authorities previously indicating the facility would be brought into use after refurbishment works.
NACC officials had earlier visited the site to monitor progress and confirm rehabilitation efforts were underway, while urging compliance with public asset management procedures.
PPAO President Rewat said the centre now operates as a coordinated command point for disaster response across Phuket’s northern districts, particularly covering flood-prone and coastal risk areas.
He added that the facility will support inter-agency drills, equipment deployment, and emergency coordination with local authorities and private volunteer foundations.