National Disaster Warning Center Transferred To Meteorological Department

[Jai Dee]

National Disaster Warning Center transferred to Meteorological Department

The Office of the Prime Minister has transferred the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) to the Meteorological Department, resulting in the possible termination of duty of Smith Thamasaros (สมิทธ ธรรมสโรช), the director of NDWC.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said he had yet considered the matter in detail. He added that the PM’s Office has the sole authority to transfer or merge with various units under its jurisdiction. Asked whether he had talked to Dr Smith, the premier said he had not but he believed that after New Year, the status of Dr Smith will be clearer.

Dr Smith Thamasaros is the former director-general of the Meteorological Department. He is widely known as the person who was able to predict a Tsunami, saying that the fatal waves may occur in Southern Thailand somewhere from 1994-2004.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Warning centre 'bullied'

National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) chairman Smith Dharmmasaroj lashed out at a Cabinet decision that puts the centre under Meteorological Department control.

Smith is the former director-general of the department. He said the decision was an insult because it placed a national-level agency under the control of a department.

"I am not being emotional but I am angry the centre is treated like this. The government should have asked us what we think before making the decision," he added.

Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras initiated the move and Smith alleged Kosit was trying to "bully" him and the NDWC.

"Or do they think the NDWC was initiated by the ousted government. Politics should not be a factor because this decision will backfire and produce no benefit," he added.

Smith was asked by the Thaksin-Shinawatra government to head a warning centre following the Indian Ocean tsunami because of his experience at the Meteorological Department.

Smith once made a much-criticised prediction that Thailand's Andaman coast was at risk from tsunamis.

Smith said in Phuket on Thursday that information about earthquakes, tsunamis or any natural disaster should now be directed to the Meteorological Department.

"My duties and responsibilities at the NDWC are over from now," he said.

But Smith did not specifically say he had resigned.

He said the government and the department should be responsible for natural disaster warnings following the Cabinet decision.

Source: The Nation - 30 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

National Disaster Warning Center prepares nationwide alert coverage

The National Disaster Warning Center is preparing to integrate all local disaster warning systems under Radio Thailand in order to develop a nationwide warning system.

The Chairman of the National Disaster Warning Center, Mr. Samit Dhammasaroj (สมิทธ ธรรมสโรช), said that the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Mr. Sithichai Pokai-udom (สิทธิชัย โภไคยอุดม ), will be paying a visit to the National Disaster Warning Center for Tsunamis, Forest Fires, Flash Floods and Floods this afternoon (April 23). Mr. Samit said that he would be suggesting that additional disaster warning systems be installed in important waterfall areas in the southern region, including Phatthalung, Ranong, Hat Yai, and Songkhla.

The Chairman of the National Disaster Warning Center revealed that all local disaster warning systems would be integrated under Radio Thailand throughout Thailand's 76 provinces to allow for nationwide alert coverage, and to act as a disaster network. Mr. Samit said the initiative would begin in Phatthalung province, and once the Meteorological Department has procured necessary equipment within 1-2 months, the system will be expanded nationwide.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

National Disaster Warning Centre will be completed in two years

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudoom (นายสิทธิชัย โภไคยอุดม) reveals the ICT will responsible for the National Disaster Warning Centre instead of the Secretariat of the Prime Minister. The announcement will be in the royal gazzette by two weeks. After 30 days he will submit the proposal of the National Disaster Warning Centre as Public Organization to the cabinet.

The National Disaster Warning Centre as Public Organization will reponsible for air pollution warning, flash flood, storms, landslide and tsunamis in the tourist attractions and general area nationwide.

ICT Minister admit the emergency warning system project will completion in two years. He is urging on the procurement and fringe benefit budgets to be finalize within the government term.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

National Disaster Warning Center affirms all systems in order

The National Disaster Warning Center affirms that its early warning warning system is operating effectively.

The Head Advisor to the National Disaster Warning Center, Mr. Samith Thamasarote (สมิธท ธรรมสาโรช) said that the 79 early warning system towers in the 6 southwestern provinces are operating effectively, and would be tested noiselessly at 9:00 AM daily. Mr. Samith said that comments by the Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party, Mr. Alongkorn Polbutt(อลงกรณ์ พลบุตร), which alleged that the National Disaster Warning Center was faulty in its work, were political in nature and completely false.

The Head Advisor said he was ready for all parties to investigate his agency to ensure that all systems were in proper working order. Mr. Samith added that the National Disaster Warning Center expects the completion of a satellite warning system for 14 high risk provinces near the Gulf of Thailand within June.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 May 2007