Coast remains on tsunami alert

OFFICIALS in Krabi continue to keep a close eye on possible natural disasters in an effort to raise awareness.

The office of disaster mitigation wants to keep residents thinking about possible emergencies that can arise out of natural disasters, with a tsunami response exercise planned next month.

Phuket Provincial Authority is organising the event following the numerous recent massive earthquakes plus serious aftershocks around the world.

Phuket and the Andaman coast suffered mass loss of life after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami which claimed 300,000 lives around the world.

Phuket governor Wichai Praisa-Ngob has assured visitors and residents that all of the 19 early warning towers which have been installed on Phuket beaches and areas such as Krabi are now working correctly.

And Krabi chief of disaster mitigation Thalerngsak Bhuwayanpong said he had placed his staff on 24 hour-a-day alert to monitor seismic movements so that the public can be warned instantly via SMS.