True Corporation (SET: TRUE), in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), successfully conducted Thailand’s first full-scale small-level test of the Cell Broadcast Service (CBS) emergency alert system. The test covered five provinces: Chiang Rai, Suphan Buri, Ubon Ratchathani, and Songkhla – all conducted at their respective Provincial Halls – and Bangkok, at the Government Complex Chaeng Watthana, Buildings A and B. This marks a major step forward in disaster preparedness, enabling real-time delivery of emergency messages directly to the mobile phones of both Thai citizens and international tourists in affected areas.
The Cell Broadcast system has the unique capability to send text and audio alerts simultaneously to all mobile devices within a risk area – without requiring phone numbers or additional applications. It supports both Android and iOS devices connected via 4G or 5G networks.
Mr. Paskorn Boonyalug, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), said that “From the collaborative test with True Corporation, the Cell Broadcast system was found to be highly efficient and accurate. It can instantly send warning messages to every mobile phone within a specific area without limitations on the number of messages, making it far superior to traditional SMS alerts. People in risk zones will receive timely warnings, allowing them to act appropriately and stay safe.”
Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, as Thailand’s lead agency for public safety, focuses on prevention before disasters occur and provides assistance during emergencies. It continues to adopt modern technologies to enhance disaster management and cooperates with all sectors to safeguard the public.
A Turning Point for Thailand’s Disaster Preparedness
Mr. Chakkrit Urairat, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, True Corporation Plc., said that “This successful small-scale test of the Cell Broadcast emergency alert system marks a significant milestone for Thailand in enhancing its disaster warning capabilities to global standards. As natural disasters become more frequent and intense, True is committed to close collaboration with all sectors. We prioritize customer safety in all situations—prevention, readiness, and response. True is the first provider to complete CBS installation across all 4G and 5G base stations nationwide, ensuring full operational readiness in line with standard protocols set by all involved agencies.”
The initial test was conducted simultaneously at the following five locations:
- Chiang Rai Provincial Hall
- Suphan Buri Provincial Hall
- Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Hall
- Songkhla Provincial Hall
- Government Complex Chaeng Watthana, Buildings A and B, Bangkok
Upcoming National Expansion Plan
This successful small-scale test is only the beginning. True Corporation and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) have scheduled two additional nationwide tests:
Second test – Mid-level (District Level): May 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM
- Mueang Lampang District
- Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District
- Mueang Nakhon Sawan District
- Mueang Surat Thani District
- Din Daeng District, Bangkok
Third test – Large-scale (Provincial Level): May 13, 2025, at 1:00 PM
- Chiang Mai Province
- Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province
- Udon Thani Province
- Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
- Bangkok
People in the test areas will receive an alert on their mobile phones displaying the following message: “This is a test message from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). No action required.”
True Corporation’s Cell Broadcast Service (CBS) alert system is now fully operational on all 4G and 5G mobile phones without requiring any additional apps. The system supports Android devices running version 11 or higher, and iPhones with iOS 18 or higher.
For iPhone users, alerts can be enabled via Settings > Notifications by turning on both Amber Alerts and Emergency Alerts. If your Apple Watch is paired with your iPhone, alert messages will also appear on the watch screen.
“This is a major milestone in improving public safety for both citizens and tourists. With its high precision, the Cell Broadcast system can target alerts from specific local areas to regional and national levels. This ensures the most effective emergency communication possible. We are ready to expand nationwide testing in preparation for full deployment in the near future,” Mr. Chakkrit concluded.
