Mini-video-report On Early Warning Towers

[NBT TV Phuket]

This early warning tower is now completely and tested out already. Located on the tip of Saphan Hin in Phuket city, the tower is one of the latest developments of 62 warning towers the Thai government is set to have installed in the six vulnerable locations of the Andaman.

The 62 towers need a budget of just over 38 million baht. Under this 58 will fall under the Department of Public Works, Town and Country Planning with a budget of over 36 million while another 2.2 million baht is set aside by the Information Communications & Technology or ICT ministry for Phuket province to have the towers installed according to its own plan in four locations of Rawai, Chalong, Laem Tukkae and Lone island.

It is reported that the towers on land will be completed before December 26th with most to be tested out on December 16th 2005. The system on the islands are expected to be in place in February as the monsoon season has halted the transportation of materials and equipment. According to the Public Works, Town and Country Planning, it cost 4 million baht for transport of material and equipment to build towers on 31 locations on islands. The Phang-Nga governor however asked for 8 more additional warning towers to its 23 locations. This includes 2 more on Koh Yao (island).

But do tourists feel safe with the towers? Some say how can the government assure that the sirens work or are activated and that they hear the warning while being fast asleep in an airconditioned hotels.

Quite right and the government has now asked local authorities to seek cooperation from hotels accommodation operators to have their systems linked to the towers.

After most towers are in place, the authority plans to launch tests and exercises on December 16th which Minister Suranand told local authority to keep tourists informed about to prevent any panic or misunderstanding.

The government put efforts in ensuring that the early warning systems are in place and can activate in time for the 1st year commemorative event, so that tourists and visitors to the region feel that they are in the safe hands in case nature strike again.

From Special report for Andaman News TV11 Phuket, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket & Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket, 8.30am Friday 25 November 2005 & www.Thaisnews.com - mini-video at http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=151993

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Also mini-video of full Interview http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=151865

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Our interview is with Suranand Vejajiva, the Minister attached to the Prime Minister, about the early warning systems against any future tsunamis or disasters. He held a meeting with the Governors of the Andaman coastal provinces, and then visited the new Early Warning Tower at Sapan Hin in Phuket City. As it was a very windy day, we have subtitled some of the questions, so you can see them, even if you cannot hear them: we asked him first what the progress was on the Early Warning systems: