NBTC Chairman Faces Criticism Over Delayed SMS Quake Alerts in Bangkok

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

A member of Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has openly criticised Chairman Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, blaming him for delays and failures in SMS earthquake alerts following the powerful tremors felt in Bangkok on Friday.

 

Thanapant Raicharoen, an NBTC member, voiced his concerns via Facebook, attributing the alert failures to Sarana's centralised approach to decision-making. The 8.2-magnitude quake that struck Myanmar on Friday was sensed in Bangkok, with many residents taking to social media to express their frustration at the lack of timely warnings from authorities, including the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DPMD).

 

Currently, the DPMD is working on implementing a cell broadcast alert system. In the meantime, it is the NBTC Office's role to coordinate with mobile operators to disseminate alerts. However, Thanapant's post suggested that Sarana's insistence that directives must be issued under his sole authority, per Article 56 of the NBTC Act, has impeded the prompt distribution of warnings.

 

 

 

In his Facebook post, Thanapant shared three letters from Sarana, underscoring the requirement for all action orders to emanate directly from the chairman, effectively pointing to a bottleneck in communication. While not directly accusing Sarana of neglecting his responsibilities, Thanapant's tone implied dissatisfaction with the response to the quake.

 

These documents, now publicly accessible, highlight Sarana's directive to centralise all instructions through his office, sidelining other commissioners from issuing operational orders directly. With criticism mounting, there is an ongoing debate about the effectiveness of the NBTC's current operational protocol and the need for a more decentralised, responsive approach in crisis situations, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2025-03-31

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

42 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

However, Thanapant's post suggested that Sarana's insistence that directives must be issued under his sole authority, per Article 56 of the NBTC Act, has impeded the prompt distribution of warnings.

 

I think that Khun Thanapant may not be a member of the NBTC for much longer.

[MikeandDow]

running around like chickens with there heads cut off    these are grown men amazing Thailand