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

[webfact]

File photo for reference only

 

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

 

 

[newbee2022]

Well, and if there is a blackout as it happened in Spain and Portugal???

Black screens on your mobiles 🥺

[Guderian]

27 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Well, and if there is a blackout as it happened in Spain and Portugal???

Black screens on your mobiles 🥺

 

Yeah, no power = no WiFi.

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Alerts will not reach devices that are turned off, in airplane mode, using Wi-Fi exclusively, or connected to 2G/3G networks.

 

And surely most people when they're at home have their phones connected to the WiFi rather than using the mobile network, so they won't be able to receive the message either. I'd have thought the best way to do this would be to send out a text message via the phone network rather than relying on the internet. Or have I misunderstood what they're saying?

[newbee2022]

5 minutes ago, Guderian said:

 

Yeah, no power = no WiFi.

 

 

And surely most people when they're at home have their phones connected to the WiFi rather than using the mobile network, so they won't be able to receive the message either. I'd have thought the best way to do this would be to send out a text message via the phone network rather than relying on the internet. Or have I misunderstood what they're saying?

Mobile phones are working only 2-4 hrs after a blackout because the system is supplied by emergency batteries. After 4 hrs everything is black😱

[dinsdale]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

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.

Fairly certain there's no "cutting edge" technology going on here. Absolutely nothing new about SMS warning systems.

[Satcommlee]

Good time to find out if your Wife/Girlfriend has a secret phone :-)

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

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.

Rather dramatic

[jcmj]

They are far from cutting edge if they can’t reach you when you’re connected to your home WiFi. Why don’t they just go to the countries that have done it successfully and just do the same. Amber Alert just one simple example. 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Alerts will not reach devices that are turned off, in airplane mode, using Wi-Fi exclusively, or connected to 2G/3G networks.

Cutting edge... so sitting at home, Wifi on... phone automatically connects to it, you won't get a message.

[treetops]

1 hour ago, Guderian said:

Or have I misunderstood what they're saying?

 

Yes, as have some others.  These alerts come in the form of SMSs so as long as you're within range of a mast you can receive them even if you're connected to wifi rather than mobile data.

 

I seem to remember they could be switched off/disabled from your phone but looking at the menu options on mine now it doesn't seem so easy.

[Task Master]

Oh my
🫣

[kuzmabruk]

2 hours ago, Guderian said:

 

Yeah, no power = no WiFi.

 

 

And surely most people when they're at home have their phones connected to the WiFi rather than using the mobile network, so they won't be able to receive the message either. I'd have thought the best way to do this would be to send out a text message via the phone network rather than relying on the internet. Or have I misunderstood what they're saying?

At home your phone is connected to both networks with wifi being preferred but not only.  
 

as to this technical wonder of cellular broadcasting.   Cell Broadcast messaging was first demonstrated in Paris in 1997.
 

now to be demonstrated in Thailand 28 years later 

 

technical geniuses at work here

[Guderian]

21 minutes ago, kuzmabruk said:

At home your phone is connected to both networks with wifi being preferred but not only.  

 

Not mine. If I'm out and need mobile data then I'll dial up a day's worth for 16 Baht on AIS via *777*210#. Otherwise, my phone only has a WiFi connection. I see no point in paying for a full-time mobile data connection when I'd hardly ever use it, and I doubt if I'm alone in that. 

[dingdongrb]

15 minutes ago, Guderian said:

 

Not mine. If I'm out and need mobile data then I'll dial up a day's worth for 16 Baht on AIS via *777*210#. Otherwise, my phone only has a WiFi connection. I see no point in paying for a full-time mobile data connection when I'd hardly ever use it, and I doubt if I'm alone in that. 

I pay a recurring 257 THB a month for my AIS service. Hardly a life-changing cost....

[PETERTHEEATER]

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Well, and if there is a blackout as it happened in Spain and Portugal???

Black screens on your mobiles 🥺

Picky picky! There is,  of course, a manual backup system

 

 🎵🔔

[newbee2022]

2 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Picky picky! There is,  of course, a manual backup system

 

 🎵🔔

No, it's done automatically.

There are batteries, providing Power for 2-4 hrs.

After that time darkness.

 

[rdog]

Good job they are testing it in Phang Nga and Phuket where the Tsunami actually happened.  Doh…..