Tsunami Warning Tests A Disaster

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But I was curious if any local residents heard or saw anything like the panic they are talking about here and if anyone actually heard of any forewarning about the test:

Tests on Thailand's newly-installed tsunami warning system receiving towers in six southern Andaman Sea coast provinces, which began Saturday, were suspended Sunday after causing surprise and panic among both locals and foreign tourists, who had been insufficiently warned of the tests.

Smith Dharmmasaroj, director of the National Disaster Warning Center, said the tests in Krabi, Phuket, Phang Nga, Ranong, Trang and Satun were unsuccessful due to the lack of an effective public relations campaign by local authorities in the six provinces. On the contrary, shortly after beginning at 9 am., the tests caused surprise and panic among the public as well as foreign tourists.

Tests in some areas in Phuket went smoothly as residents there had been properly informed by officials, so there was no panic reaction, Mr. Smith said, indicating that renewed tests will resume possibly after the Songkran holiday, Thailand's traditional New Year April 13-17, or when authorities in the six provinces are prepared and inform the Center.

Mr. Smith said his disaster centre wants to conduct tests on a regular basis while the United Nations and other tsunami-concerned agencies prefer the test to be held twice a year.

The six southern coastal provinces were hit by a deadly tsunami on December 26, 2004, killing some 5,000 people, half of them foreigners, and injuring 11,000 others.

A total of 100 towers have been installed in the six provinces while another 48 towers will be constructed in provinces along the Gulf of Thailand.

Towers will also be built in the Central, North and Northeast provinces to alert people to floods and air pollution.

Towers have been erected in the three northern provinces of Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai to detect air pollution and tests there will be conducted in later in April and May. (TNA) - E 111