Four northern provinces prepared for possible earthquakes

CHIANG MAI: -- Thailand's four northern provinces--Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Tak--which may be affected by earthquakes in neighbouring countries will soon conduct rehearsals to deal with the possible tremors, according to Director of the National Disaster Warning Centre Plodprasop Suraswadi.

The move was ordered by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra following earthquakes in neighbouring countries, particularly Myanmar, over the past three months which were felt by local residents in the four northern provinces, said Mr. Plodprasop in Chiang Mai on Monday.

"Due to the recent earthquakes, particularly the latest one in Myanmar the past days measuring over 5 on the richter scale, the premier has instructed that all the four provinces urgently conduct the rehearsals to prepare their people to properly deal with possible tremors in the future," he told local journalists.

The rehearsals would be organized by provincial governors of each of the provinces and local disaster prevention and mitigation officials, he noted.

The prime minister also suggested that local residents and business firms check conditions of their houses and commercial buildings and improve them, if necessary, to meet the safety standard suggested by local authorities, said Mr. Plodprasop.

--TNA 2006-01-31

What TNA left out:

Bangkok Herald-Examiner

Prime Minister Thaksin went on to further disclose that he is in personal negotiations with Mother Earth to absolutely ensure that no further earthquakes occur in his North. In keeping with the current governmental policy of barter trade, he has offered Her four thousand metric tons of tapioca in exchange for earthquake-free periods between the hours of 7am to 8pm, with negotiations for evening hours to be explored at a future date.

A BH-E reporter questioned the PM further on these highly suspect negotiations, but was brushed aside... with the PM preferring to answer an ITV television reporter's question about when was the next "War on Poverty" reality road show.

PM wants north to prepare for quakes

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's four northern provinces - Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Tak - will soon conduct rehearsals to deal with the possible tremors, noted the Director of the National Disaster Warning Centre, Plodprasop Suraswadi.

The move was ordered by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra following earthquakes in neighbouring countries, particularly Myanmar over the past three months which were felt by local residents in the four northern provinces, Mr Plodprasop said.

"Due to the recent earthquakes, particularly the latest one in Myanmar measuring over 5 on the Richter scale, the premier has instructed that all the four provinces urgently conduct the rehearsals to prepare their people to properly deal with possible tremors in the future," he told local journalists.

Provincial governors of each of the provinces and local disaster prevention and mitigation officials would organize the rehearsals, he noted.

The pm also suggested that local residents and business firms check conditions of their houses and commercial buildings and improve them, if necessary, to meet the safety standard suggested by local authorities.

--TNA 2006-01-31