Report Thailand’s Emergency Alert System Goes Live in Major Test

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Thailand is set to activate its cutting-edge emergency alert system with a series of crucial tests using cell broadcast technology, starting on Friday, May 2.

 

The effort is led by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) in conjunction with the nation's leading mobile operators, targeting over 120 million mobile numbers on Android and iOS platforms.

 

The initial test, scheduled for 1 PM on May 2, will be conducted in limited locations, namely:

Provincial halls of Chiang Rai
Ubon Ratchathani
Suphan Buri
Songkhla
Government Complex Chaeng Watthana in Bangkok

 

A second, broader test on May 7 will expand to district-level locations including:

Mueang Districts in Lampang
Nakhon Sawan
Nakhon Ratchasima
Surat Thani
Din Daeng District in Bangkok

 

 

 

 

The final test on May 13 will encompass entire provinces, with coverage in:

Chiang Mai
Udon Thani
Ayutthaya
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Bangkok

During these trials, phone users will see alerts with the following messages in Thai and English:

“ทดสอบแจ้งเตือนภัย Cell Broadcast จากกรมป้องกันและบรรเทาสาธารณภัย (ปภ.) โปรดอย่าตื่นตระหนก”
“This is a test message from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). No action required.”

 

For the alerts to be received, devices must operate on Android 11 or iOS 18 and be connected to a 4G/5G network. Alerts will not reach devices that are turned off, in airplane mode, using Wi-Fi exclusively, or connected to 2G/3G networks.

 

The cell broadcast technology differentiates itself by quickly delivering messages within specified geographic boundaries, eliminating the need for specified phone numbers and additional applications.

 

Since the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, Thailand has sought to implement such a system, with renewed urgency following the March 28 earthquake in Bangkok that exposed the need for improved emergency communications.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-04-30