Phuket officials postpone Christmas Day tsunami drill

*# Phuket officials postpone Christmas Day tsunami drill. ## PHUKET (Phuket Gazette) -- Phuket officials have postponed a full-scale tsunami drill that was planned for Christmas Day, following a number of complaints from victims' families who are preparing for the 10th anniversary of the tragedy on Boxing Day. “We have cancelled plans to hold the full-scale drill on Christmas Day after receiving feedback from the victims’ families, who feel that the drill will bring back bad memories,” said Santhawat Riwleung, chief of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Phuket office. The drill was initially scheduled to be held on December 25, but Governor Nisit Jansomwong later said that he was considering postponing the drill after foreigners filed complaints with him saying they didn’t want to witness a full-scale drill so close to the 10th anniversary day. “Governor Nisit understands that the timing of the drill is sensitive, so he has ordered it to be rescheduled,” Mr Santhawat told the Phuket Gazette Tuesday. ### 'Speeding' motorcycle rider plunges 6 metres down hole on Thonburi road. ### Military trucks on standby at 11 Bangkok districts to transport commuters. ### Constitutional Court chief orders probe into ‘leak’ of witness’ statement. Thailand heightens screening as Ethiopia reports Marburg virus outbreak. Urgent: DDPM issues cell broadcast alerts for floods and landslides in three southern provinces. Exposed: secret passage and illicit privileges inside Bangkok Remand Prison. Thailand seeks China’s approval to reopen dried seahorse exports as high-value aquatic product. Southern floods hit 8 provinces, affecting 124,000 households as DDPM deploys emergency crews. © 2025All rights reserved., The Nation.*

Published: 2026-03-14 16:48 UTC Event date: developing

Phuket officials have announced the postponement of a full-scale tsunami drill originally scheduled for Christmas Day, in response to concerns raised by families of victims ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

The decision comes after several relatives of those who lost their lives in the disaster voiced objections to holding the exercise on December 25, a day before the anniversary commemorations. Many families are currently making preparations to mark the tragedy, which claimed thousands of lives across the region, including significant losses in Phuket.

Local authorities had planned the large-scale drill as part of ongoing efforts to improve disaster preparedness and public safety for both residents and the island’s many visitors. The drill was expected to simulate emergency response procedures, test warning systems, and involve coordination between various government agencies, rescue teams, and community volunteers.

The postponement means that the scheduled training and public awareness initiatives will be delayed, but officials have reassured the public that safety remains a top priority. Phuket, as a major international tourist destination, regularly conducts such drills to ensure readiness in the event of natural disasters, particularly tsunamis, which are a persistent concern for both locals and tourists.

Tourism operators and hotel staff, many of whom play a critical role in emergency response, had also been preparing to participate in the exercise. The delay is expected to have a minimal impact on overall preparedness, as routine safety checks and staff training will continue as planned. However, some in the local community have expressed relief at the postponement, noting the importance of allowing families to observe the anniversary in peace.

Phuket’s coastline, which suffered extensive damage during the 2004 tsunami, now features improved warning systems and evacuation routes, the result of years of investment in disaster resilience. The anniversary of the tragedy is typically marked by memorial services and community gatherings, drawing both residents and visitors to pay their respects.

Officials have not yet announced a new date for the tsunami drill but indicated that it will be rescheduled after the anniversary commemorations. In the meantime, authorities urge residents and tourists to remain vigilant and familiarize themselves with safety procedures. Further updates on the rescheduled drill are expected in the coming weeks.

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30250034