Thailand is testing a new emergency alert on your mobile phone – here's everything you need to know

Thailand is preparing a new system for mobile-based emergency alerts and will start national tests in May 2025. Here's what applies and which locations are affected.

What is Thailand's new emergency alert system?

Thailand launches a so-called self-broadcast emergency alert system to quickly warn the public of natural disasters, security threats and other critical events.
The system will send out audio and text alerts directly to mobile phones and will be tested in several stages during May 2025.

When and where do emergency alarm tests take place?

The first tests are scheduled for three different dates:

• May 2, 2025 at 13.00:
  Small-scale test in five locations – Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Suphanburi, Songkhla and Bangkok (Chiang Watthana).
• May 7, 2025 at 13.00:
  Medium-sized test in several city districts – Lampang, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Sawan, Surat Thani and Din Daeng in Bangkok.
• May 13, 2025 at 13.00:
  Large-scale testing in entire cities – Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Bangkok.

All messages will be displayed on both Thai and English, and clearly state that it is a test.

What do mobile users need to consider?

To be able to receive emergency alerts via self-broadcast, the phones must be updated:

• Android: Version 11.0 or higher
• iPhone: iOS 18 or higher

If a device does not support the feature, the message will instead be sent via SMS.
The authorities emphasize that the public don't panic when they receive the alarms during the test period.

Why is Thailand introducing a new emergency alert system?

The new emergency alert system is part of Thailand's effort to improve disaster preparedness and information dissemination.
In the future, the system will also handle warnings about cyberattacks and terrorism.
Meteorological Department will be primarily responsible for weather and earthquake alerts.

Summary: Important things to know about the emergency alarm

• Tests will be conducted on May 2, 7 and 13, 2025
• Alarms come via sound and text directly to your mobile phone
• Upgrade your phone to ensure reception
• SMS is used for older phone models
• No need to worry – these are just tests

How does Thailand's new emergency alert system work?

Thailand is introducing the new emergency alert system to improve the country's disaster preparedness and enable faster and more efficient communication with the public in emergencies. The new system uses Cell Broadcasttechnology, which makes it possible to send warning messages directly to mobile phones within a specific geographical area, without overloading mobile networks.

Unlike traditional SMS, which is sent individually to each recipient, Cell Broadcast messages are sent to all compatible devices within a given cell or area simultaneously. This means alerts can be delivered within seconds to millions of users, even when the network is congested.

International examples of similar systems

Several countries have already implemented similar systems to alert the public in case of emergencies:

• France uses FR-Alert, a system that sends warnings about natural disasters, industrial accidents and other threats directly to mobile phones. The system has been active since June 2022 and uses Cell Broadcast technology.
• India has conducted tests of a Cell Broadcast-based emergency alert system in 2023, with the goal of improving the warning system in the event of disasters.
• Sweden plans to introduce a Cell Broadcast-based warning system to quickly inform the public in emergency situations.
• Finland has not yet implemented a Cell Broadcast-based emergency alert system, but the country has other warning systems in place to inform the public in case of emergencies.
• China has not released information about a national Cell Broadcast-based emergency alert system, but the country has various systems for managing emergencies and informing the public.

For more information about Thailand's new emergency alert system, please visit our article: Thailand to introduce new mobile-based emergency alert system by 2025.

Text: The editorial staff

Image license: Peggy_Marco, Pixabay, original image