Thailand Conducts Tsunami Drill In Andaman Coastal Provinces

Sirens on 79 warning towers in Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Ranong, Trang and Satun province blared at about 10.45 am as locals and holidaymakers joined an evacuation exercise.

The disaster warning proceeded both in Thai and in English, instructing local residents, as well as Thai and international holidaymakers to evacuate from shoreline areas to safer places on higher ground.

Meanwhile, local medical teams and rescue units also rushed to seek and help mock victims onshore and offshore.

Patong beach in Phuket is the main venue where Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban presided over Friday's tsunami drill.

The drill began at 10.20 am when the authorities simulated an earthquake of 8.8 on the Richter scale somewhere in the Andaman Sea, where it was at high risk of generating tsunami waves in costal Andaman areas.

After being notified of the quake by the Thai Meteorological Department, the National Disaster Warning Centre then sent short messages to department executives, to the governors of the six provinces and to a variety of officials to monitor the earthquake situation.