Deputy Interior Minister Jesada Thaiset guarantees that Thailand's tsunami system is secure with strict SOPs and expresses confidence in timely warnings. He urges everyone to remain calm, avoid panic, and be ready to respond if an emergency occurs.
On 16 August 2026, Jesada Thaiset, Deputy Minister of Interior, posted on his personal Facebook page to clarify concerns raised on social media about some tsunami detection buoys not transmitting data, which caused public worry. He emphasized that Thailand’s tsunami monitoring and warning system does not rely solely on these buoys and urged people to follow information primarily from official government agencies.
Jesada explained that tsunami detection buoys are only one part of Thailand’s tsunami monitoring tools. The fact that some buoys fail to send data does not mean the warning system has stopped working. Thailand also relies on multiple sources to assess situations, including earthquake data, sea level monitoring stations, information from international networks and agencies, and follows standardized operating procedures (SOP) to systematically analyze and evaluate situations.
Furthermore, if an assessment identifies risks requiring public alert, the government and related agencies have communication channels, including a Cell Broadcast system, to quickly send warnings to mobile phones in at-risk areas.
“I ask everyone not to panic. The warning system is not based only on buoys but is a coordinated effort among multiple data sources, agencies, and steps, allowing us to accurately assess situations and promptly warn the public,” he said.
Jesada also thanked the public for their attention, questions, and information sharing on this matter, noting that public interest in disaster issues is vital for raising awareness and preparedness, especially for tsunamis, which are close threats that everyone should understand and be ready for.
“The Ministry of Interior and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation give this issue special attention and will closely monitor the situation, coordinating continuously with relevant agencies to ensure monitoring, assessment, and public warnings are swift and effective,” he added.
He concluded by urging the public to rely on information from official government sources and trusted channels, avoid spreading unconfirmed information, stay composed, avoid panic, and be prepared to respond in case of an emergency.
