Ict Commission Begins Weather Bureau Investigation

[george]

ICT commission begins investigation into weather bureau

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) yesterday began its investigation into the failure of the Meteorological Department to issue a warning prior to last month’s tsunamis, with the findings expected to be published within one month.

As anticipated, the committee will be chaired by Mr. Smith Tumsaroch, the former head of the Meteorological Department who now works as a Vice Minister for the Prime Minister’s Office, and who has been spearheading the government’s efforts to set up a tsunami warning system.

Also on the committee are Dr. Pennueng Wanitchai, a seismologist from the Asian Institute of Technology, Mr. Parinya Nutalai, chair of the national earthquake plan committee, Mr. Woraphat Thiwthanom, director of the ICT Ministry’s central administration bureau, and ICT Ministry legal officer Mr. Sriphat Watcharaphai.

ICT Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said that the committee would look at what was going on within the department on the morning of 26 December, when an earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter Scale struck off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra Island, triggering tsunamis throughout Asia.

The committee would focus on the department’s working practices, and would not attempt to find any scapegoats, he said.

On 4 January, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ordered the temporary transfer of Meteorological Department director-general Suparerk Tansriratanawong for failing to issue a tsunami alert.

Mr. Surapong expressed confidence that the committee would come up with clear findings within the next month.

--TNA 2005-01-08