September 25, 2024 – True Corporation Public Company Limited has teamed up with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) by launching an SMS-based disaster alert system. The service targets True and dtac mobile users in high-risk areas, reaching locations down to the sub-district and village levels.
Mr. Chakkrit Urairat, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of True Corporation Plc., said, “To prioritize public safety, True has partnered with DDPM and NBTC to deliver emergency SMS alerts. We have launched a pilot program for Level 3 warnings, starting with notifications about the overflow of the Wang River in three sub-districts of Koh Kha District, Lampang Province. This system is designed to ensure that customers in high-risk areas receive timely information, enabling them to prepare for potential emergencies.”
The alerts will appear with ‘DDPM’ as the sender, indicating that they originate from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Each alert will provide comprehensive details, including date, time, location, severity level, and safety instructions. The SMS system offers the advantage of immediate information delivery without the need for app downloads, making it accessible to all mobile users.
DDPM serves as the primary agency for monitoring, collecting, and analyzing data from relevant organizations before instructing True Corporation to dispatch alerts to people in at-risk areas. The system features two types of notifications: advance warnings (12-24 hours ahead) and emergency alerts (6-12 hours before an event).
This service aims to provide crucial information to the public, enabling them to prepare for potential disasters and ultimately reduce risks and potential losses.
The SMS alert system represents a significant step forward in Thailand’s disaster preparedness efforts, leveraging widespread mobile phone usage to enhance public safety communications.