Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

 

Bangkok has begun deploying a new earthquake early warning system capable of providing up to three minutes’ notice before tremors reach the capital, city officials said. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) received 10 early warning sensors through a partnership with Chulalongkorn University to improve preparedness for seismic events. Authorities said the warning window could allow critical services to take immediate protective action before shaking begins.

 

The sensors, known as the RUGON system, were formally handed over on December 24, 2025, during a meeting at Bangkok City Hall. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt accepted the devices from Anatee Ruangrassamee, director of the Center of Excellence in Earthquake Engineering and Vibration at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Engineering. The initiative follows growing concern over the impact of regional earthquakes on the Thai capital.

 

Officials said the RUGON sensors can provide up to three minutes of advance warning for Bangkok, depending on the earthquake’s location. When linked with monitoring networks in Myanmar, the warning time could extend to four or five minutes. This additional time could be used to stop elevators, halt construction cranes and pause surgical procedures before tremors arrive.

 

“This system will help Bangkok manage disasters more efficiently, especially by accessing data through API to connect with warning systems, which will reduce panic and increase public safety,” Chadchart said. The sensors form part of a “Sense then Share” network that delivers real-time ground motion data via a Live ShakeMap website.

 

Each compact sensor weighs about 100 grams and operates on low power using NB-IoT communication. The devices are designed to have a lifespan of approximately nine years. Bangkok plans to install the initial 10 sensors in BMA schools, where they will serve both as safety equipment and as educational tools for students learning about earthquake preparedness.

 

Bangkok has already installed earthquake sensors at the Thanee Noparat Building, Bangkok General Hospital and Vajira Hospital. City officials said installations at all Bangkok hospitals are expected to be completed by fiscal year 2026. Nationwide, the RUGON network currently includes more than 50 monitoring points and is expanding towards 100 locations.

 

The initiative follows a major earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, 2025, whose tremors reached Bangkok. The quake caused the collapse of the under-construction Office of the Auditor General building, killing 95 people. The disaster led authorities to launch prosecutions and conduct extensive building inspections across the city.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Bangkok has deployed RUGON sensors that can provide up to three minutes of earthquake warning, extendable to five minutes with regional links.

• The system delivers real-time ground motion data and will initially be installed in city schools and hospitals.

• The rollout follows the March 28, 2025 Myanmar earthquake that caused deadly structural collapse in Bangkok.

 

Related Story

 

Earthquake-rocks-Bangkok-building-collapses-with-40-people-inside

 

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-12-27

 

 

i don't mean to be a nay-sayer. But what good is a 3 minute warning? 

45 minutes ago, thesetat said:

i don't mean to be a nay-sayer. But what good is a 3 minute warning? 

Don't worry...seismic sensors (especially with a small network in very noisy environments) do not give 3 minute warnings.

I think they should concentrate on finding the Namuzu first.

 

After that, buy some Oar-fish & keep them in a tank in government buildings.

 

These would be better options than a 3 minute warning system, if it even works. 

On 12/27/2025 at 6:24 AM, Georgealbert said:

Authorities said the warning window could allow critical services to take immediate protective action before shaking begins.

And workers to vacate dodgy buildings

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

And workers to vacate dodgy buildings

or attempt to vacate..... just for fun, set alarm for random time & when it rings attempt to flee from whatever place you may be in... check watch for when you begin your skeedaddle... check where you are at 3 min mark

Seems the warning might be useful for catching people in lifts when the quake hits

If these were a thing they’d use them in California. 

22 minutes ago, giants49 said:

If these were a thing they’d use them in California. 

What you mean like the California Integrated Seismic Network (CISN).

The two systems are different because the distances from fault lines.

 

California uses high-precision scientific instruments because earthquakes start close and time is extremely short.

 

Extremely accurate

Expensive

Require specialist installation and calibration

 

Bangkok uses this RUGON, modern ground-motion networks because earthquakes come from afar and local soil effects dominate the risk.

 

Slightly lower precision

Much cheaper

Easier to maintain

Practical to deploy in schools, hospitals, offices

 

Places like Japan, uses both approaches, depending on the location.

 

But lets not let real facts and information get in the way.

 

 

 

Since Bangkok is quite far from active earthquake faultlines, these sensors will warn of seismic shocks which should not be an issue for buildings that have been constructed to international safety/strength rules, but will be useful to those located within Chinese slop/rubbish buildings in the capital......

The probability that these sensors will be adequately maintained is very low. Just look at the tsunami warning system as an example.

 

The probability that anyone will pay attention to the warning and act within 3 minutes is very low to non existent. Check out what happens the next time a fire alarm goes off. People spend 3 minutes checking whether it’s a drill.

 

So good PR, but my money is on it not being much more than that.