Rayong officials hold
another meeting with the public to try and allay their fears about
possible crises in the area.
Patcharapol Panrak
Hoping to avoid panic during industrial accidents and
other disasters, Rayong officials polled media, public relations and
business leaders on the best way to inform the public about emergencies.
Rayong officials say that in the province, with its
many factories and chemical plants, crisis is just an explosion away.
Sirens and alarms can create panic in neighborhoods surrounding
industrial parks, so effective methods of informing the masses during
times of crisis are needed.
Chief Rayong spokesman Manoch Osothcharoen assembled
50 public relations experts at the Star Rayong hotel July 12 to meet
with media and community representatives to brainstorm the problem,
draft guidelines for broadcasting about emergencies and the need to
convey information quickly, but accurately.
Manoch said the session made him much more aware of
the psychological impact sirens and alarms have on the public. He said
some residents have filed lawsuits seeking compensation for the stress
caused by emergency vehicles. In other cases, he said, inaccurate
reports have led to vandalism of broadcasting towers and equipment by
area residents.
Representatives from Radio Thailand in Chantaburi,
the Association for Community, the Maptaput Industrial Estate Office,
and Rayong Disaster Prevention and Mitigation all spoke at the seminar
on ways to reduce risks, crisis preparation, making residents feel safe,
and enhancing communication between the public and government.
Rayong Deputy Gov. Warayuth Pin-ngeun said Thailand
has faced many crises, but Rayong faces even more risks than other
areas. He said the workshop was a good opportunity for all involved to
express their opinions, suggestions and experiences in to improve
operations.
