Smartphone emergency alert test

[Gaybutton]

Mine came in at precisely 2:00pm. It worked exactly as specified in the article. What the article does not say is if a genuine emergency occurs, will the alert include just what the emergency is, where it is, and a recommendation as to what you should do.

In anticipation, I shut off my internet connection a couple minutes before - and the alert worked perfectly even without internet, as the article says. This is one time they got it right.
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Phone alert system to be tested today

January 20, 2026

A nationwide test of the Cell Broadcast emergency alert system will be conducted today (Tuesday) at 2pm, with residents being advised not to panic if their mobile phones emit loud warning tones, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

The BMA announced via its official Facebook page that the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) will conduct the alert exercise.

The test will trigger an automatic alert lasting about eight seconds, displaying the text: "This is a test message from Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), not a real situation. No action required."

Officials stressed that this is not an emergency but a system test to enhance public safety, urging people to inform family members, the elderly, and those nearby to avoid any alarm.

The BMA's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office Director Suriyachai Rawiwan said the test will cover all 76 provinces and Bangkok simultaneously. It follows several trial runs last year, with improvements made to address issues identified previously.

The exercise will also assess how different mobile networks and phone models respond to the alerts, simulating conditions similar to earthquake warnings. Residents will hear the alarm and see the automatic message regardless of whether their phones are muted, locked, or set to vibration mode.

Mr Suriyachai added that Bangkok has already used the alert system to notify residents about PM2.5 pollution, enabling timely precautions and the avoidance of hazardous areas.

Tuesday's test aims to further strengthen readiness for large‑scale emergencies.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... sted-today

[Dodger]

Jai received the alert on his phone but I didn't on my phone.

I guess I'll just have to rely on him if there's ever an emergency...LOL

[Jun]

Jai received the alert on his phone but I didn't on my phone.

Nothing on my phone either. That's using a True SIM.

The Thai guy working at the coffee shop received an alert and he was unaware of any planned test.

[Gaybutton]

In those cases I must amend my earlier statement to "They nearly got it right".

My SIM is DTAC. My phone is Android, running Android 16.

Would anyone else care to share what occurred with you?

It would also be helpful to know which SIMs worked and which did not. Dodger, what SIM do you use? Which one does Jai use?

In short, on phones where the alert did not work, why didn't it? You may find the answer below.

I did make an inquiry on Google. My question was "Why in some cases did the Thailand telephone emergency alert test not work?"
This is the response:
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During Thailand's nationwide emergency alert tests, most recently conducted on January 20, 2026, some users did not receive the broadcast due to specific technical and hardware requirements.

The primary reasons the alert may not have worked include:

* Outdated Operating Systems: The system requires relatively modern software to process the cell broadcast.
iOS: Devices must be updated to iOS 18 or higher. This typically excludes iPhone models older than the iPhone 11.
Android: Devices must be running Android 11 or higher.

* Disabled Settings: Users must manually enable certain notification types in their phone settings to receive the broadcast.
On iPhone: Go to Settings > Notifications and ensure "Emergency Alerts" and "National Alerts" are toggled on.
On Android: Go to Settings > Safety and Emergency > Wireless Emergency Alerts and ensure they are allowed.

* Network Compatibility: The alert relies on 4G or 5G connectivity. Devices connected only to older 2G or 3G networks are unable to receive the cell broadcast.

* Device Status: The phone must be powered on to receive the alert. While it will sound even if the phone is on silent, locked, or muted, it cannot reach a device that is completely turned off.

* System Testing Phase: In previous pilot tests (such as those in May 2025), reports indicated "partially successful" results where some users on specific networks experienced delays or total failures as the system was still being calibrated for high-volume delivery.
(I never got the May pilot test alert)

https://www.google.com/search?q=why+in+ ... eMPxafq4QI

[2lz2p]

Yes, mine sounded the alert at exactly 2pm. As I had seen an earlier announcement about it, it was expected. I use an AIS Sim.

If it was a real emergency, it would probably be in Thai, thus the nature unknown to most of us farangs. Of course, I would expect that my Thai caregivers would tell me what it was about.

The alert was nationwide. Since phones are connected the system (DTAC, AIS, etc.) and are usually connected at any given time to their nearby towers, I am curious as to whether they can target particular locations, e.g. a Tsunami warning in the area that would be affected.

[Gaybutton]

If it was a real emergency, it would probably be in Thai

My alert was both in Thai and English.

[Jun]

I don't think any of the reasons listed above caused a failure on my device.

I thought I might have turned alerts off, as I'm keen not to be disturbed, but that does not appear to be the case, yet.
Although the thing would only have to bleep loudly with some daft warning of heavy rain and I would try to switch it off!

[Gaybutton]

Although the thing would only have to bleep loudly with some daft warning of heavy rain and I would try to switch it off!

Good point. Since none of the things on the list caused the alert to miss your phone, do you have any idea what the problem might have been?

I don't know how serious an emergency would have to be before it triggers off an alert. I don't see a heavy rain doing it, but an imminent threat of a direct hit from a typhoon, a tsunami alert, or some other major disaster would probably do it.

And, of course, nearly anything Trump does would be enough to justify it . . .

In any case, if an emergency occurs and alert is sent out, even one that doesn't seem particularly serious to me, I would want to know about it. Too many alerts would backfire and cause "boy who cried wolf" reactions. We'll see. I just hope no genuine emergencies occur in the middle of the night when I'm trying to sleep.

What if a serious technical problem happens to this board? Wouldn't that be a huge emergency . . . ?
_________________________________________________________________________

Thailand switches on nationwide cell broadcast alerts in major disaster readiness test

By Pattaya Mail

January 21, 2026

Thailand’s Permanent Secretary of the Interior has presided over the country’s first nationwide test of the Cell Broadcast emergency alert system, expressing confidence that the technology will significantly reduce losses from major disasters and strengthen the government’s ability to communicate with the public quickly and effectively, Jan 20.

Mr. Ansit Sampantharat, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Interior, chaired the nationwide Cell Broadcast test together with Mr. Teerapat Kachamat, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). Representatives from relevant government agencies, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), and mobile network operators – National Telecom, True Corporation, and Advanced Info Service (AIS) – also attended the event. Provincial governors from all 76 provinces, Bangkok officials, district offices, and local administrative organizations joined the test online.

Mr. Ansit said disasters today are becoming more severe and complex than in the past. Establishing effective mechanisms to mitigate and reduce impacts is therefore essential, and the Cell Broadcast system plays a key role by delivering emergency alerts rapidly and directly to mobile phones in affected areas.

During the nationwide test, DDPM sent a National Alert message, which is intended for large-scale disasters affecting multiple areas. At exactly 2.00 p.m., residents in all 76 provinces and Bangkok received the alert simultaneously. The Thai message read: “This is a test of the emergency alert system. Not a real situation. Issued by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Please do not panic.” The English message stated: “This is a test message from Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), not real situation. No action required.”

According to preliminary feedback gathered through video conferencing with local authorities, the alert reached mobile phones in tested areas within 10 seconds. DDPM will further collect public feedback and submit a summary report to the Cabinet.

Mr. Ansit added that Cell Broadcast represents a new dimension in disaster warning, allowing precise, location-based alerts without unnecessary disruption to wider areas. Combined with public cooperation and adherence to safety guidance, the system will help reduce loss of life and property, enhance public confidence, and strengthen Thailand’s disaster management capabilities in a sustainable manner.

https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnew ... est-532999

[Dodger]

It would also be helpful to know which SIMs worked and which did not. Dodger, what SIM do you use? Which one does Jai use?

That never entered my mind:

I use a True SIM and Jai uses an AIS SIM.

Both of our phones were "on" during the alert. He received the alert - I did not.

[Gaybutton]

I use a True SIM

Maybe that's it. Jun, in his post, said he uses True and he also did not get the alert. That doesn't seem like mere coincidence to me. If True SIM phones did not get the alert, why? According to Google, True SIM phones were supposed to receive the alert, but obviously at least some did not. I wonder what went wrong.

Meanwhile, if you're not getting the alert, but you see a lot of people running for cover, you better hightail it too . . .