Three and a half years since the Tsunami hit the Indian Ocean Rim, including 6 Andaman coastal provinces in south Thailand, the residents on Thailand’s shoreline have been educated, encouraged to take part in learning, and taken part in tests or exercises to make sure that the history would not repeat itself. A full-scale Tsunami exercise has been conducted on a yearly basis, while small community drills for preparedness in vulnerable locations and in schools for children, have taken place as well. This year the Thai government is conducting a comprehensive drill involving residents and tourists in all 79 locations in 6 Andaman Coastal provinces where the warning towers are installed, on July 7th during 9.30 – around 11 am. The towers are linked with the National Disaster Warning Centre in Nontha Buri near Bangkok The Deputy Prime Minister Suwit Khunkitti will preside over and observe the exercise at Saphan Hin in Phuket City which is designated to be the main location, to be broadcast by NBT. The test at Saphan Hin in Phuket will involve around 1,000 people, adults and school children, plus tourists. Each local government will run their drill at the same time. In tourist locations like Patong beach, signs have been put up to inform tourists. Some said they already know and even want to join in as they appreciate the safety measures the Thai authority recognizes:

On the tourism sector side, Buritt Maswongsa, Vice President of the Phuket Tourist Association agrees with the drill, but emphasizes that businesses, hotels and tourists must be informed: The drill on Monday July 7th will simulate an 8.5 Richter earthquake situation at 9.20am, when some parts in Phuket can feel the tremor. After supposedly confirming that a Tsunami will hit the Thai coast, the National Warning Centre will signal an alarm at 9.45am to 79 towers in all 6 provinces of Phuket, Phang-Nga, Krabi, Ranong, Trang and Satun. The operation and evacuation procedures then take place. The authority aims at testing out preparedness of personnel, equipment and tools, and awareness and skills of residents and tourists. Three main operations will be focused upon. They are evacuation procedure, command and management lines plus search and rescue operations. Residents and tourists are invited join in the exercise and to keep calm when hearing the siren go off on Monday July 7th at 9.45 and the procedure will go on until around 11 am.