PHUKET: Thailand's government has been severely embarrassed by Prime Minister Yingluck's tsunami warning message to the nation last night.
The message was prerecorded about 7.30pm but was not put to air until 8.30pm - 30 minutes after the alert that Khun Yingluck spoke about as still being in force had been lifted.
The attempt to somehow prove that the national government was involved and in charge of the tsunami alert situation didn't work for those who were watching at the time and noticed the digital clock behind the Prime Minister.
Nor should it work in the cold light of day today when clear and accurate assessments are required of the preparedness of the Phuket region for future tsunami alerts.
As we have asked many times in the past, who will wake the guests in Phuket resorts if a tsunami strikes at 3am? Clearly, on last night's performance, it won't be the national government.
Khun Yingluck's message is to be translated from Thai into English and sent to Thai embassies around the world as a way to reassure the countries that provide tourists to Thailand that the government is adequately prepared for disasters.
What she had to say was quite sensible at 7.30pm but, with the lifting of the alert at 8pm, a little absurd when telecast at 8.30pm as if nothing had changed in the meantime.
And of course, disaster preparedness is all about action, not words. Lack of timely information was the strongest criticism being made the day after.
The tsunami - if there had been one - was due to hit Phuket at 5.40pm. That time came and went, without a warning broadcast from the national government.
If there had been a real big wave, PM Yingluck's attempt to promote her government three hours later would have been too little, too late.
Prerecorded messages do not really help.
The message was prerecorded about 7.30pm but was not put to air until 8.30pm - 30 minutes after the alert that Khun Yingluck spoke about as still being in force had been lifted.
The attempt to somehow prove that the national government was involved and in charge of the tsunami alert situation didn't work for those who were watching at the time and noticed the digital clock behind the Prime Minister.
Nor should it work in the cold light of day today when clear and accurate assessments are required of the preparedness of the Phuket region for future tsunami alerts.
As we have asked many times in the past, who will wake the guests in Phuket resorts if a tsunami strikes at 3am? Clearly, on last night's performance, it won't be the national government.
Khun Yingluck's message is to be translated from Thai into English and sent to Thai embassies around the world as a way to reassure the countries that provide tourists to Thailand that the government is adequately prepared for disasters.
What she had to say was quite sensible at 7.30pm but, with the lifting of the alert at 8pm, a little absurd when telecast at 8.30pm as if nothing had changed in the meantime.
And of course, disaster preparedness is all about action, not words. Lack of timely information was the strongest criticism being made the day after.
The tsunami - if there had been one - was due to hit Phuket at 5.40pm. That time came and went, without a warning broadcast from the national government.
If there had been a real big wave, PM Yingluck's attempt to promote her government three hours later would have been too little, too late.
Prerecorded messages do not really help.
please understand that during The Priminister went to the Royal Funeral Ceremony,every high ranking in government there. do your job as a reporter pls.
Posted by sean on April 12, 2012 10:41
Editor Comment:
The answer, sean, is that the prime minister's message should have been telecast live at 7.30pm, if not earlier. A real disaster won't wait for a funeral.