webfact Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 Tsunami fears: Report shows that tourists would be in trouble if a giant wave hit Thailand again Pictures: TNA Following the devastating earthquake and massive tsunami that hit Indonesia on Friday the Thai media have asked the question: Is Thailand prepared for another tsunami? The answer is mixed. On the one hand the alarm warning systems seem to be working and loud enough. But on the other, signage erected after the 2004 Asia wide tsunami hit Thailand has fallen into disrepair. Tourists would not have a clue where to go to flee another giant wave. TNAMCOT were reporting in their Big Story news show amid fears of another tsunami. In Indonesia at Palu on Sulawesi thousands are feared dead mostly from the tsunami following an undersea quake. TNA's reporter went to Kamala beach where 279 people died in the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami. Following the disaster that claimed about a quarter of a million lives Asia wide the Thai authorities put in towers and signage to help people flee. She said that there are 19 warning towers in the Phuket. She asked two people - a deckchair vendor and a hotel employee about the effectiveness of the warning systems. The systems are tested every Wednesday at 8am when the Thai national anthem is played through them. The vendor said that it was loud and could be heard everywhere on the beach. He also said there was enough signage. The hotel employee said that it was loud too. His hotel had training each year regarding tsunami preparedness. But when the reporter examined the escape route the problems started. Some signage had fallen to the ground or was now unreadable. There were gaps of 500 meters in between signs on the route. The reporter said that the signage was unclear and confusing [pointing in several directions. Thais would be confused and tourists would have no idea where to run to to save their lives. She called on the authorities to reexamine their signage in case of another disaster. Source: TNA -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-10-03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeEyedRaven Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 50 minutes ago, webfact said: Tourists would not have a clue where to go to flee another giant wave. I believe away from the beach and to the highest ground you can find would make sense. 52 minutes ago, webfact said: Thais would be confused I believe this also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simoh1490 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 I'd be more concerned about who had taken responsibility for replacing the batteries in the sensor buoys out at sea, they were inactive for a long time because responsibility and funding for those batteries was in dispute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smedly Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 39 minutes ago, simoh1490 said: I'd be more concerned about who had taken responsibility for replacing the batteries in the sensor buoys out at sea, they were inactive for a long time because responsibility and funding for those batteries was in dispute. this is there to facilitate an "EARLY WARNING" which is critical to allow people time to get away from the coast to high ground, all this stuff costs money which Thailand shows again that there are more important things than safety ……………… like their own pockets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DM07 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 Looking at the so called "safety standards", which are in place all over the country, for a bunch of other things: why would the Tsunami -warning system be any different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lupatria Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 1 hour ago, simoh1490 said: I'd be more concerned about who had taken responsibility for replacing the batteries in the sensor buoys out at sea, they were inactive for a long time because responsibility and funding for those batteries was in dispute. ...but I'm sure the wave of money for replacement and maintenance hit the shore in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johng Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45716915 "The number of people known to have died in Friday's earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia has risen to 1,347, disaster response officials say." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katipo Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 Speaking of poor signage, several years ago when I moved to Ayutthaya I saw a solitary road sign in the town for the "Ayodhya Inter Floating Market" . To this day I still have no idea where this market is. ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darcula Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 2 hours ago, webfact said: But on the other, signage erected after the 2004 Asia wide tsunami hit Thailand has fallen into disrepair. Some of those signs are worth a lot of money now as collectors items. Because, Uncle Somchai who runs the signage factory has destroyed the moulds, and he was last seen churning out "bike lane" signs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NextStationBangkok Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 22 minutes ago, Darcula said: Some of those signs are worth a lot of money now as collectors items. Because, Uncle Somchai who runs the signage factory has destroyed the moulds, and he was last seen churning out "bike lane" signs. One will get TSunami bidding on EBay..... ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake Monster Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 Same Same Money before public safety Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike324 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 48 minutes ago, Katipo said: Speaking of poor signage, several years ago when I moved to Ayutthaya I saw a solitary road sign in the town for the "Ayodhya Inter Floating Market" . To this day I still have no idea where this market is. ???? there are so many of those signage in different provinces trying to promote a destination. But they only have one sign that says 1km straight ahead and no further signage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash999 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 The signs should be upright but they clearly say head for high ground. One would have to be a bit lacking in the brain cells to think that means run towards the churning water. If they ran towards the tsunami anyway then it would be Darwin at work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLW Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 I think most foreigners would know what to do. Walk away from the beach to higher grounds. For Thais I am not sure. They have difficulties to distinguish between left and right, North and south not to mention reading a map or terrain... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damaz6052 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 3 hours ago, simoh1490 said: I'd be more concerned about who had taken responsibility for replacing the batteries in the sensor buoys out at sea, they were inactive for a long time because responsibility and funding for those batteries was in dispute. Nail on the head!!! The buoys of the coast of Indo haven't been functioning for some years...I am wondering if the early warning system used to protect Thailand are working or not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esso49 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 Maintenance is not a strong point for Thais. Irrespective whether it is homes, signage, roads or a safety issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxx Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 2 hours ago, Katipo said: Speaking of poor signage, several years ago when I moved to Ayutthaya I saw a solitary road sign in the town for the "Ayodhya Inter Floating Market" . To this day I still have no idea where this market is. ???? Obviously, it's in Ayodhya, Ayutthaya's ancient twin city, located off the island to the East. The floating market concerned is next to Pang Chang Ayutthaya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chongalulu Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 1 hour ago, Damaz6052 said: Nail on the head!!! The buoys of the coast of Indo haven't been functioning for some years...I am wondering if the early warning system used to protect Thailand are working or not! No need to wonder...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atyclb Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 4 hours ago, simoh1490 said: I'd be more concerned about who had taken responsibility for replacing the batteries in the sensor buoys out at sea, they were inactive for a long time because responsibility and funding for those batteries was in dispute. rest assured, its the same crew that maintains public vans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chongalulu Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 And you can be certain that if a tsunami did hit and wonder of wonders the sensors triggered the speakers what you would hear loud and clear is.......the National anthem. Farangs might run while Thais stood to attention facing the wave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HHTel Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 For tourists, the solution is simple. Don't holiday in Phuket or on the Andaman coast. Anywhere in the Gulf of Thailand is perfectly safe. Bkk, Hua Hin, Pattaya and more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinknirmal Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 If one of the Grab drivers saw the sign, he would be going back towards the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallen52 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 5 hours ago, Lupatria said: ...but I'm sure the wave of money for replacement and maintenance hit the shore in time. It's the old 50/50 rule. 50% chance it will work. 50% chance it won't. Same the funding. 50% to the cost of maintaining. 50% into the brown paper envelopes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallen52 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 And as the tide went out there would be a huge rush to put more deckchairs and food stalls on the extra beach front.....???? 4 hours ago, CLW said: I think most foreigners would know what to do. Walk away from the beach to higher grounds. For Thais I am not sure. They have difficulties to distinguish between left and right, North and south not to mention reading a map or terrain... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grusa Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 2 hours ago, HHTel said: For tourists, the solution is simple. Don't holiday in Phuket or on the Andaman coast. Anywhere in the Gulf of Thailand is perfectly safe. Bkk, Hua Hin, Pattaya and more. Unless a meteor strikes the gulf. Not impossible, cf Tungaska. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Media1 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 9 hours ago, simoh1490 said: I'd be more concerned about who had taken responsibility for replacing the batteries in the sensor buoys out at sea, they were inactive for a long time because responsibility and funding for those batteries was in dispute. Prawit used the funds for watch servicing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingstonkid Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 While the military has some part of this let's face it the PT and Dens have not done much. If you look at Kamala noting has really changed. I bet if you looked at other areas that were hit they are in the same readiness. Let's hope that it is not something that any of us have to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEFLKrabi Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 I think you’ll find most of the hotel staff and locals know exactly what to do. I’m sure in Krabi, for example, they know the drill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lingba Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 Tourists are in trouble even without a tsunami Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whaleboneman Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 4 hours ago, HHTel said: For tourists, the solution is simple. Don't holiday in Phuket or on the Andaman coast. Anywhere in the Gulf of Thailand is perfectly safe. Bkk, Hua Hin, Pattaya and more. Sure-as long as you're not a swimmer. I'd rather holiday on the Andaman and risk a rare Tsunami than in the Gulf and risk infections from the polluted sea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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