Thailand sets mobile quake alerts, watches 16 faults

Thailand has set earthquake thresholds for its nationwide mobile phone alert system while agencies increase surveillance of 16 active fault lines, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said.

Recent earthquakes elsewhere in Asia have not affected Thailand, but agencies are continuing to follow seismic activity and fault movement to maintain readiness, according to DDPM director-general Theerapat Kachamat.

Alert rules for mobile phones

Under the new protocol, the Cell Broadcast system will send alerts for onshore earthquakes in Thailand measuring magnitude 4 or above.

For quakes elsewhere in South-East Asia, the threshold is magnitude 6 or above. Earthquakes in the Andaman Sea will prompt alerts at magnitude 7 or above.

The DDPM said tsunami warnings will be issued for earthquakes of magnitude 7.6 or greater when they occur at depths shallower than 100km.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) will be the first agency to issue earthquake messages to the public. The DDPM will then send follow-up alerts containing safety instructions, Theerapat said after a coordination meeting.

Monitoring faults across Thailand

The TMD operates 111 seismic stations, 55 ground-acceleration stations and 19 tectonic plate movement monitoring stations nationwide, according to the DDPM statement.

The Department of Mineral Resources also carries out regular surveys of the 16 faults. They extend through northern provinces including Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, western Kanchanaburi, and southern tourism areas including Phang Nga and Phuket.

Officials stressed that all 16 faults are active and capable of producing earthquakes. However, most earthquakes along Thai fault lines are small and do not affect infrastructure.

What this means for foreigners

For foreign residents, tourists and long-stay visitors, the new thresholds provide a clearer indication of when official mobile alerts may be issued, particularly in northern, western and Andaman coast areas.

Anyone staying in fault-zone provinces should follow instructions issued by the TMD and DDPM, and should check evacuation arrangements with hotels, condominiums or workplaces where relevant. Theerapat called for continued public education in fault-zone communities and neighbouring provinces so that people remain informed without panicking.

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21 August 2026