The Andaman provinces are keeping residents and tourists informed of the early warning siren tests and evacuation drills on Friday (at 13.30).

Reaffirming the preparedness of the areas by having officials meet with local administrative leaders, Phuket vice governor Worapot Ratasrima said the authority emphasized on keeping public and tourists aware of the drills so that they do not panic when the siren sounds. Phuket will run tests and evacuation drills at Patong and Bang Tao, Le - Phang and Surin beaches with designated routes and evacuation sites. Phang-Nga will also join in the drill at Ban Bang Niang near Khao Lak.

Meanwhile Krabi Head of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office Kawee Sukantatanond also confirmed their readiness for the tests and drill at Phi Phi Island warning residents and tourists not to panic when they hear the siren sound.

The government is running early warning system tests and evacuation drills in 6 coastal Andaman coastal provinces at locations that the local authorities see appropriate.

from Andaman News TV11 Phuket, broadcast nationwide + Radio Thailand FM90.5 to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket 8.30am Wednesday 14 December 2005 & www.Thaisnews.com

On the tv news last evening. Tests were done and people panicked, a young boy was run over by a truck. My wife says that the tests were done 2 days ahead of schedule.