Cell Broadcast Emergency Alert or Cell Broadcast Services (CBS) will undergo a nationwide system test on Tuesday, 20 Jan 2026 at 14:00 GMT+7 across all provinces in Thailand. Quick information awareness is key to safety. Cell Broadcast (pronounced 'Cell Broadcast') has become a widely discussed emergency alert system because it can instantly send messages to the public via mobile phones. Many may have seen alert messages pop up on their screens but do not fully understand how this system works. Thairath Online will help you get to know it better.
Cell Broadcast or Cell Broadcast Services is a message alert system from government agencies that immediately sends emergency notifications to mobile phones in targeted areas. The key advantages are that it doesn’t require knowing phone numbers, no app installation is needed, and it does not rely on internet signals but uses the mobile network directly.
When a message is sent, the system displays an alert with a sound on the screen, even if the phone is locked. Cell Broadcast alerts are commonly used in critical situations such as:
To set up emergency alerts on both iOS foriPhoneand Android devices, menu options may vary slightly depending on the phone model and brand. It is recommended to update the operating system to the latest version (Android 11 or iOS 18 and above) to fully support government alerts.
1. Go to Settings
2. Select Notifications
3. Scroll to the bottom to find Emergency Alerts (TH-ALERT)
4. Turn on Emergency Alerts or all related alert notifications
1. Go to Settings
2. Select Safety & Emergency
3. Enter Wireless Emergency Alerts menu
4. Enable all alert types such as Severe Alerts, Earthquake Alerts, or Test Alerts
Checking and enabling settings in advance helps reduce the chance of missing important alerts. However, some may wonder why they did not receive Cell Broadcast messages despite alerts being issued. Common reasons include:
An official announcement was made about testing Cell Broadcast emergency alerts nationwide so that the public can familiarize themselves with the system. The government has scheduled a nationwide test of Cell Broadcast alerts on mobile phones. On 20 January 2026 at 14:00 GMT+7.
During this time, supported phones (Android 11 or iOS 18 and above) will receive alert messages similar to real emergency situations, clearly marked as a system test to avoid public panic.
The test of Cell Broadcast is a significant step in improving the country’s alert system to deliver fast, accurate information to as many people as possible.
Summary Cell Broadcast Service is an emergency alert system that helps the public receive urgent information quickly and widely. Pre-enabling alert settings on your phone is an easy way to increase safety for yourself and those around you. When fully operational, just a few seconds of an alert message could greatly reduce potential losses.
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