Top Official Dispells Phuket Tsunami Rumors

[george]

Top official dispells Phuket tsunami rumors

PHUKET: -- The director of the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC), the agency in Thailand that issues tsunami warnings, yesterday called on people to ignore rumors that a tsunami will strike Thailand.

NDWC Director Somsak Khaosuwan was in Phuket to lead public information seminars about natural disasters. The seminars were held at Wat Suwan Kiriwong School in Patong.

Mr Somsak said the rumors that a tsunami would strike were unfounded and he urged people to trust the NDWC’s tsunami warning system.

In December the NDWC launched two tsunami direct-detection buoys in the Andaman Sea. The first buoy was installed 250 kilometers west of Phuket, and the second 150km west of Phang Nga.

The two buoys were deployed after the previous sole direct-detection buoy failed when its battery ran out in June 2009.

“Most importantly, people should use their own judgment regarding any information from any media and they should pay attention to information released by the Meteorological Department and the NDWC,” Mr Somsak said.

The seminars held yesterday aimed to educate the public on what to do in case of disasters, such as tsunamis, earthquakes, mudslides, floods, cyclones, forest fires and droughts.

Among those attending the talks were teachers and students of Wat Suwan Kiriwong School, representatives from local organizations and residents in Patong.

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-03-19

[dumball]

Trust our system ?????????/ It took a year and a half to replace the original system because the battery had died .

Is my memory playing tricks on me ? Was there not deep discussion (Arguments) on whom should get what money to displace said battery ?

[slapout]

Yes the money was not forthcoming (large amount) if memory serves correctly, The latest rumor is the new detection systems are manned by sea gypsies who are issued horns powered by pressurized air canister. The relief system has still not been finalized but we are assured the men on station will not desert their post.

[ScubaBuddha]

I am guessing this "prediction" is related to the current "supermoon." We have a similar prediction for an earthquake here in California for today.

http://beforeitsnews.com/story/489/917/Earthquake_Predicted_for_California_This_Saturday.html

The predictor formerly worked for USGS and accurately predicted the quake of '89.

http://beforeitsnews.com/story/489/917/Earthquake_Predicted_for_California_This_Saturday.html

.

Edited March 19, 2011 by ScubaBuddha

[surangw]

want to bet Somsak does not live anywhere near the beach?

[londonthai]

officials shout not respond publicly to those rumours, they do appear every few months, fuelled by the mass media.

nobody can say when and how strong the next quake close to the andaman sea can be - on average the large one, compared to the 2004, are every 700 years, the last one was some 200 years ago.

the early warning system is the most can be done, as well as public and rescue services drills

[sirchai]

Trust our system ?????????/ It took a year and a half to replace the original system because the battery had died .

Is my memory playing tricks on me ? Was there not deep discussion (Arguments) on whom should get what money to displace said battery ?

The two buoys were deployed after the previous sole direct-detection buoy failed when its battery ran out in June 2009.

Guess somebody had just stolen the battery to make some money. What a joke.:jap:

[asiawatcher]

You would think in our age of technology and solar panels, there would be sufficient sun to power the buoys. Oh well - imagine taking your boat 200+ kms across the ocean to replace the battery. Makes is a very expensive battery! Someone is on a pay day. Boat hire, crew, fuel, food et al...

[londonthai]

the first buoys were given in 2005 by the usa government and they well might came with solar panels - still, the buoy has to be operational night time as well as during sea storms and rainy season, when there is no sun for many days in a row. So batteries as essential and they don't last forever.

because they are far away from the land they have to be large and the best quality - hence the high price, as I remember around $100k.

the equipment has to be checked and maintained from time to time, even solar panels have to be cleaned frequently - army can do same of these jobs as a part of an exercise