Thread: Phang-nga Province : Suthep apologizes for tsunami alert error

Suthep apologizes for tsunami alert error
Santibhap Ussavasodhi



BANGKOK, 14 September 2010 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban has apologized for the mistakes in the tsunami warning system at Ban Nam Khem, Phang-nga Province.

In the wake of the six false alarms at the tsunami warning tower in Ban Nam Khem, Mr Suthep offered his apology to the public for the blunder. He said he would have the issue investigated, and plans would be devised to prevent a recurrence of such a mistake.

The Deputy Prime Minister also dismissed the speculation that National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) Director Wiriya Mongkolweerapan would be sacked for the error, saying that would be too harsh a punishment.

According to Mr Suthep, the authorities have kept the tsunami warning system active, and have held an evacuation drill in the six provinces every year in order to keep the locals alert and informed of what they should do if the gigantic surge of water is about to hit.

The tsunami evacuation exercise, presided over by the Deputy Prime Minister himself, was conducted on Monday morning in six Andaman coastal provinces, including Ranong, Trang, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, and Satun.

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