We Have A Tsunami Warning System In 2 Years

[george]

Thailand to have permanent tsunami warning system in 2 years, says PM

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will have an initial tsunami warning system in place by April, with a fully operative system installed within the next two years, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra confirmed today.

Bolstered by his electoral victory in the last Sunday's general election, attributed in part to his handling of late last year's tsunami crisis, the prime minister told voters via his weekly radio programme this morning that Thailand would construct a warning system without delay.

Thailand has said that it will go alone and build a tsunami warning system without the help of other countries in the region, but has indicated that it will spend Bt400 million to help set up a regional system if other countries cooperate.

An initial warning system is now expected to be in place by the end of March or the beginning of April, while a more permanent system will take another 18-24 months to become fully operative.

Since the massive tsunami waves struck the country's southern Andaman coastline on 26 December, the government has been anxious to restore tourist confidence, and the early installation of a warning system is seen as one means to do so.

Today Mr. Thaksin noted that the rehabilitation of the country's southern resort province of Phuket, badly battered by the tsunamis, had proceeded more rapidly than anyone had hoped for, and said that several countries were encouraging their nationals to come back to the country's Andaman region.

France has said that it will send scholarship students to Thailand, while Finland is also sending groups of tourists to the country.

Scandinavia lost thousands of tourists to the tsunamis, and on 18 February the prime minister is due to receive Their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden, who are visiting Thailand as the honourable guests of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand.

The Royal couple will travel to Phuket during the course of their visit.

The next day the prime minister will also receive former US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Senior, who will also travel to the country's tsunami-ravaged areas in a personal capacity.

The three men are expected to discuss regional tsunami relief efforts.

Mr. Thaksin is also due to hold a meeting with hoteliers from Khao Lak resort in Phang-nga Province, which received some of the most extensive tsunami damage, at which he will determine how best to revive the resort.

Today he promised to rehabilitate the area as rapidly as possible.

--TNA 2005-02-13

[Diggerbasher]

It's a great idea to set the system up so that nervous tourists get back on those planes and start holidaying again.