Thai Media to Sign Cooperation Pact on Relaying Tsunami Warnings

Despite fierce business competition, major TV stations have joined hands to boost tsunami warnings and crisis reports, so as to prevent future disasters.

Representatives from major TV stations came together today to draft the “Andaman Declaration”, named after the coast of Thailand that was devastated by the 2004 tsunami.The alliance aims to boost warnings and response efficiency and reduce the number of casualties if such a natural disaster hits Thailand in the future. The 2004 tsunami claimed as many as 5,395 lives in Thailand.This is the first-ever such alliance in the world, said Surachai Pannoy, executive producer of Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS). Influential TV channels such as Thai PBS, Channel 3, Channel 7, Amarin TV and Thairath TV have demonstrated great interest, he said. 

The cooperation pact will include sharing footage, reports, staff and facilities, he added. A declaration of the agreement will be officially announced on December 26, to commemorate the 2004 tsunami. “Knowledge means a greater chance of survival,” said Maitree Jongkraijug, a community leader in Ban Namkem, Phang Nga province, which was hit hard by the 2004 tsunami. His village suffered as many as 4,900 deaths, including that of Maitree’s father.