Bangkok: Mr. Chaichanok Chidchob, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, has announced urgent measures to tackle mobile signal disruptions in flood-affected southern regions. He has directed relevant agencies to expedite the deployment of equipment to restore mobile phone signals as the local electricity grid remains shut down for safety reasons. Despite the challenges, including the inability of mobile signal vehicles to access the areas, small satellite devices with a 50-meter range have been deployed to mitigate the situation.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chaichanok emphasized that the lack of electricity has left residents unable to charge their phones or use their devices, compounding the communication problem. To address this, authorities are accelerating the introduction of solar-powered charging equipment as a temporary solution. Mr. Chaichanok acknowledges the limitations of this measure but assures that efforts are ongoing to find a sustainable solution.
Responding to concerns about proactive monitoring for help requests on social media, Mr. Chaichanok expressed confidence that the issue is receiving serious attention from the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers and will likely be discussed in upcoming meetings. He reiterated his commitment to resolving the crisis.
Regarding meteorological warnings, Mr. Chaichanok noted that the Meteorological Department has consistently alerted the public about severe weather conditions expected in the southern region towards the end of the year, potentially continuing into the new year. He highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the severity of the impacts, citing global warming and rising sea levels as contributing factors. While periodic updates will be provided, definitive predictions remain challenging.
Mr. Chaichanok also addressed the limitations of current warning systems, particularly the reliance on mobile phones for broadcast cell alerts. He pointed out that not all residents have mobile devices, and efforts are underway to improve alert distribution through the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). The implementation of a semi-manual, semi-analog telephone blocking system aims to enhance communication during emergencies.
In a coordinated effort to assist vulnerable groups, Mr. Chaichanok is collaborating with the Department of Emergency Medicine (DGA) to compile a database of information on bedridden patients and areas at risk of flooding. This initiative aims to provide precise relief and identify uncontacted at-risk regions. A meeting is planned to discuss the effective utilization of this data to aid in the relief efforts.