Phuket Tsunami Warning: What to Do and How Alerts Reach You
Move inland to higher ground at once if the ground shakes severely or for a long time, or the sea drops fast or roars. Do not wait for official evacuation orders. That is international tsunami guidance, not a Thai rule. The January 2026 national alert test used Cell Broadcast, which needs no app or internet.
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If the ground shakes severely or for a long time, the sea pulls back fast, or you hear a loud roar from the water, head inland to higher ground. This is international tsunami guidance from the International Tsunami Information Center (UNESCO/IOC and NOAA), not a Thai rule, and it says not to wait for official evacuation orders.
What to do if you see the signs
Three things count as natural warning signs. The first is ground shaking that is severe or goes on for a long time. The second is the sea dropping fast and exposing reefs, rocks and fish on the bottom. The third is a loud roar from the sea like a train or a jet aircraft. Any one of them is enough, so act on the first one you notice.
- Leave low-lying coastal areas immediately.
- Move inland to higher ground, and do not wait for official evacuation orders.
- Once you are safe, check your phone for an official alert before you go back down.
How official alerts reach your phone
In January 2026 the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), through the National Disaster Warning Center, announced a nationwide Cell Broadcast alert test. It was set for 20 January 2026 at 14:00 and covered all 76 provinces and Bangkok. The test was a National Alert, the level used for large, severe public disasters that affect many areas.
As of January 2026, Cell Broadcast works like this:
- It needs no internet connection and no app download, and it costs nothing.
- The alert comes as a signal sound and an automatic message of about 8 seconds, even when the phone is on silent, screen-locked or in vibrate mode.
- It can carry messages in 5 languages: Thai, English, Chinese, Japanese and Russian.
Turn it on
On an iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications and turn on Amber Alerts and Emergency Alerts. On Android, go to Settings > Safety and Emergency and allow every alert menu.
Phuket’s warning towers
In July 2022 the Phuket DDPM chief said all 19 warning towers in Phuket sounded a signal every day around 8 in the morning and all 19 worked normally. That is a 2022 statement, so ask your hotel or building manager whether the towers still sound each morning.
Numbers to save
Save these on your phone before you need them:
- 1784: the DDPM hotline, on a Government of Thailand portal list dated 2023.
- 192: the National Disaster Warning Center, on the same 2023 list.
- 191: the Royal Thai Police.
- 1669: medical emergency.
- 1155: the Tourist Police hotline.
More beach safety
The full list of ambulance, police and Tourist Police numbers is in Phuket Emergency Numbers: Ambulance, Police and Tourist Police. For everyday sea hazards, read Jellyfish and Rip Currents in Phuket and the Phuket Rainy Season month-by-month sea guide.
Photos (2)
- Millevache (CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab))
- CEphoto, Uwe Aranas (CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab))
Step by step
- Spot the signsStrong or long shaking, a rapid fall in sea level or a loud roar from the sea are natural warning signs.
- Leave the shoreLeave low-lying coastal areas immediately.
- Go inland and upMove inland to higher ground without waiting for official evacuation orders.
- Set up your phoneOn iPhone turn on Amber Alerts and Emergency Alerts; on Android allow every alert menu under Safety and Emergency.
Not confirmed: - Siren and voice messages: their meaning is unconfirmed, so treat any siren near the sea as a reason to move to higher ground. - Your beach's evacuation route: unconfirmed. Look for the blue route signs and ask your building or hotel. - English alerts: unconfirmed whether a tsunami alert comes in English, so learn the natural warning signs above.
Common questions
Which phones can receive a Cell Broadcast alert?
As of January 2026, a supporting phone must be a 4G and 5G system with iOS 18 or later, or Android 11 or later.
Who sends the alert, and will it contain a link?
As of January 2026, DDPM alert messages carry no link and are sent only under the name DDPM.
Were the warning towers sounded in the Phuket tsunami drill?
In the July 2022 drill the 19 towers were not sounded, out of concern for visitors from outside the area, and mobile vehicles played the signal instead.
Where have Phuket tsunami drills been held?
The July 2022 drill was held in Karon subdistrict (Mueang Phuket) and Sakhu subdistrict (Thalang). On 18 July 2024 Wichit subdistrict municipality drilled the evacuation of people from tsunami-risk areas, together with an earthquake and a fire scenario.
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General information checked against the sources listed above. Prices, opening hours and other details change; confirm them with the provider before you act. See how guides are checked.
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