Thailand says tsunami warning system remains operational

Thailand's tsunami warning system remains fully operational despite some monitoring buoys failing to transmit data, Deputy Interior Minister Jetsat Thaiset said on 16 August.

The reassurance followed social-media posts which raised public concern over the status of tsunami wave-monitoring buoys. Jetsat, who oversees the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), said Thailand does not rely on buoys alone to decide whether to issue an alert.

Multiple sources used for warnings

In a Facebook post, Jetsat said the government, Interior Ministry and DDPM continuously prioritise tsunami surveillance and warnings. The national system combines information from several sources and agencies, using standard operating procedures to assess a threat before warning the public.

Tsunami buoys are only one part of that network, he said. Other information includes earthquake data, sea-level monitoring stations, and data from international networks and agencies.

If an assessment identifies a risk requiring a public warning, authorities can use several channels, including Cell Broadcast messages sent rapidly to mobile phones in affected areas.

Buoy found off Ranong and Phang Nga

The DDPM's National Disaster Warning Centre has been continuously checking the buoy's technical condition and GPS signal, according to DDPM director-general Theerapat Kachamat.

Its latest position was about 111 kilometres from Koh Phayam in Mueang Ranong district, Ranong province, and around 44 kilometres from Mu Ko Surin National Park in Phang Nga province.

Officials believe strong waves and winds in the Andaman Sea during the south-west monsoon may be responsible. The DDPM and Royal Thai Navy have already planned to recover the buoy and install a replacement tsunami wave-monitoring buoy.

Installation is scheduled for November 2026, when sea conditions are expected to calm sufficiently for a large oceanographic research vessel to operate safely.

Public asked not to panic

Jetsat said the system was "100% accurate" and asked people not to panic, stressing that warnings are based on information from multiple sources, agencies and stages of assessment.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, along with Jetsat, had sent their concern to the public, the DDPM said. The department maintained that the current inability of the Andaman Sea buoy to send data would not affect Thailand's tsunami monitoring and warning effectiveness.

Pictures courtesy of Komchadluek

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18 August 2026

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