Government explains why school shooting phone alert was silent

The Thai government has clarified why a Cell Broadcast warning during the school shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School on August 7 failed to produce an audible alert. Deputy government spokesperson Lalida Perthwiwatana addressed public inquiries on August 8, explaining that the silent notification was intended to safeguard individuals concealed at the scene.

She noted that the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) chose not to include sound in the message because an audible alert could potentially expose the location of someone hiding from an armed individual, thereby putting them at greater risk. The DDPM transmitted the warning to mobile phones within roughly 5 kilometers of the school and its surrounding area, urging people to refrain from traveling through or entering the area to minimize risks and facilitate authorities' operations.

This particular Cell Broadcast warning was executed in collaboration with mobile network operators and was capable of simultaneously delivering messages to large numbers of mobile devices within a specified region without the need for officials to possess recipients' phone numbers beforehand. The system also allows for adjustments in geographical scope, format, and alert intensity based on the nature of the emergency.

Lalida emphasized that the silent approach utilized during the school shooting contrasted with alerts for other disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and flash floods, where an audible alert may be necessary to encourage swift evacuation. She reiterated that Cell Broadcast warnings are not delivered in a uniform format for every emergency, as the alert level, geographical coverage, and use of sound are tailored according to the type of threat.

In an incident involving a person armed with a weapon, the primary objective is to warn individuals outside the affected zone to avoid approaching while simultaneously minimizing additional risks for those who are hiding inside. Cell Broadcast messages can efficiently reach people within a targeted area without requiring users to register or download an extra application.

The government emphasized the importance of individuals carefully reading emergency messages, adhering to instructions, and staying away from designated danger zones. It also cautioned the public against sharing images or livestreaming official responses to incidents, as such actions could jeopardize the safety of both personnel and individuals in the area.