PRESS RELEASE:
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra returned to national television with a new episode of “Empowering Thais with PM Paetongtarn,” outlining the government’s recent actions and future plans. The broadcast resumed after a one-month pause due to the March 28 earthquake, which caused the collapse of the State Audit Office building in Chatuchak, Bangkok, and renewed calls for improved disaster preparedness.
During the program, the Prime Minister ordered a rapid upgrade of the country’s emergency alert system, instructing agencies to move away from the current SMS-based approach, which has been criticized for delays. A new Cell Broadcast system is now in development, with completion expected by July. Unlike SMS messages, the Cell Broadcast system will send alerts directly to mobile phones in affected areas without requiring coordination between multiple agencies.
Investigations into the building collapse are underway, led by the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning. The review is expected to be completed within 90 days and will examine whether structural and safety regulations were properly followed. The findings are intended to guide improvements in construction oversight and emergency response procedures.
The Premier also directed that all victims receive equal support regardless of nationality. Rescue efforts are continuing at the collapsed site, with Bangkok officials overseeing the safe recovery of those still unaccounted for and working to ensure that remains are returned respectfully to families.
The collapse has raised concerns about the reliability of building safety inspections and the country’s capacity to respond quickly in the event of natural disasters. Authorities are now working to ensure the new alert system is delivered on time and that broader infrastructure improvements are accelerated.2
The preceding is a press release from the Thai Government PR Department.
