Around 80 percent of Thailand’s tsunami warning system needs maintenance work, the deputy director-general of its disaster prevention department said on Monday, more than ten years after the region was struck by a tsunami which caused the deaths of 226,000 people.
A 9.15 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia on Dec. 26, 2004 and triggered a massive tsunami that caused massive destruction and loss of life throughout the Indian Ocean.
One of the worst affected was Thailand, along with Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. Many of the 5,395 people killed in Thailand were foreign tourists holidaying along the south coast.
Thailand’s warning system includes warning towers, a network of detection buoys in the sea and public announcement systems.
According to official sources some 70 to 80 percent, of around 2,000 pieces, need to be serviced.
The National Disaster Warning Center in Bangkok have stated that the tsunami warning system is tested daily and Thailand is prepared in the event of a future tsunami.
Thailand remains a favourite tourist destination and it is important that tourists feel they can come to Thailand and feel secure in the knowledge that everything is being done to provide early warnings.
These would include broadcasts on radio and tv in both Thai and English.
(Source:reuters)