Soil Indicators not Working During Phuket Landslide, says Official

[webfact]

The Department of Mineral Resources has confirmed soil indicators used to detect possible landslides are not working due to a lack of budget and maintenance.

 

The Geohazard Operation Center, part of the Department of Mineral Resources, informed the Phuket Express on Wednesday (August 28th), that the soil indicator on Nark Kerd Mountain was not operational prior to the landslide incident. The reason for this was a lack of budget for maintenance.

 

Additionally, the soil indicator had been installed near a tree in the parking area close to the landslide’s starting point. Unfortunately, termites were found inside the indicator system, and some trees and structures obstructed its functionality. The indicator relies on solar cell power, but when it was initially installed, there were no obstructions in the device’s area. However, over time, signals were blocked due to the surrounding vegetation and structures. Some sensors were also not functioning properly.

 

Furthermore, the udometer (rain measurement device) was also non-operational due to insufficient maintenance funding. These combined factors have significantly reduced the effectiveness of the soil indicators.

 

By Goongnang Suksawat

 

Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-08-30

 

 

Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

[JoePai]

not working due to a lack of budget and maintenance

 

[simon43]

Exactly the same lazy, make-excuses attitude that the Thai authorities have for the tsunami warning buoy west of Phuket - it hasn't worked for months due to lack of maintenance....

[chiang mai]

Same problem with the Tsunami sensors on the buoys out at sea, no maintenance budget to replace the batteries....big sigh.

[2baht]

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

not working due to a lack of budget and maintenance

 

Yes, and they are the most expensive you can buy so they shouldn't need maintenance! The budget was great, the receivers where particularly happy! 

[MikeandDow]

This is Typical Thai,  there are 2 words Thais can not understand  PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

[Tropicalevo]

Was the equipment 'Made in China'?

[MikeandDow]

This is a Topic in the news   "Call to rev up small nuclear plant project"

can you imagine Thais building  this or running it

 

[Jenkins9039]

All the money Phuket makes...

[ronster]

Everything to help is always an afterthought here 🙄🙈

[Scottie12]

You really couldn't make this up.

[hotchilli]

26 minutes ago, Scottie12 said:

You really couldn't make this up.

But they do, and get away with it.

[Aussie999]

Same not working excuse for tsunami warning system... CCTV camera only working when convenient, speed cameras not working.... Oh, police not working, ok, I know that's different... 555

[ChaiyaTH]

1 hour ago, Jenkins9039 said:

All the money Phuket makes...

You can't expect them to spend a little on that on land slide sensors or tsunami buoys, what are you thinking. Would cost them 0.0001% revenue! 

[rovinman]

2 hours ago, Jenkins9039 said:

All the money Phuket makes...

 

Yes,  But into whose pocket  ?  ?

[natway09]

R & M is not a strong trait for Thais.

 

[AgMech Cowboy]

9 hours ago, simon43 said:

Exactly the same lazy, make-excuses attitude that the Thai authorities have for the tsunami warning buoy west of Phuket - it hasn't worked for months due to lack of maintenance....

Dagnabbit, simon, that equipment is suppose to last for ever. That's what I expect out of my computer and mobile phone. What's wrong with those people?  5555🤣

[steven100]

total bs .... just like everything here,  CCTV's not working because it's convenient at the time of the crime.

 

nothing new here ... they were probably getting kick backs from the developers   so have to do something to hide any implication. 

[steven100]

7 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

This is a Topic in the news   "Call to rev up small nuclear plant project"

can you imagine Thais building  this or running it

 

god help anyone living within 100 kms of it ....   they're doomed from day one ... 

[simon43]

I wonder if the department responsible for maintaining the soil sensor (is there such a department?), will now be sued for millions by the families of those who died.....  (not holding out much hope here that this will happen)

[brianthainess]

On 8/30/2024 at 6:51 AM, webfact said:

The reason for this was a lack of budget for maintenance.

Typical Thai non logic.  That's like owning/buying a car, but not allowing for any maintenance.  

[watchcat]

On 8/29/2024 at 11:51 PM, webfact said:

The Department of Mineral Resources has confirmed soil indicators used to detect possible landslides are not working due to a lack of budget and maintenance.

 

No warranty?

[merijn]

On 8/30/2024 at 3:38 AM, MikeandDow said:

This is Typical Thai,  there are 2 words Thais can not understand  PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

PM's don't exists in Thailand.