Now, Patong Prepares for Tsunami Drill: A Step Towards Safer Tourism in Phuket

Published on July 9, 2025

Patong, Phuket’s busiest tourist spot, will hold a crucial tsunami evacuation drill later this month. As part of regular disaster preparation exercises being carried out by Patong Municipality, this drill will look to improve residents’, worker, and students’ safety, but more importantly, that of tourists who flock to the location every year. As international travel remains robust, protection and security of visitors and those living in beach regions have become a key component of disaster management initiatives. For a beach town like Patong, which enjoys lively beaches and a robust tourism sector, disaster preparation exercises such as this one are not only essential for local infrastructure but also for investor confidence in its tourism sector.

The tsunami drill will simulate an emergency evacuation situation, preparing the community to respond effectively to a natural disaster. The authorities are placing special emphasis on the protection of both local residents and the large numbers of international tourists that visit Patong every year, drawn to the area’s beaches, shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences. The exercise will involve local authorities, businesses, schools, and the general public, along with tourists who will be encouraged to participate in the drill.

This event is not just a precaution; it is part of a broader effort to foster a culture of safety and awareness in the face of natural hazards. By conducting regular drills and ensuring robust emergency protocols, Patong aims to stay prepared for any eventuality, offering tourists and locals alike the reassurance that their safety is a top priority. Moreover, it showcases how a proactive approach to disaster preparedness can have a significant impact on the tourism industry, enhancing its resilience in the face of potential challenges.

Impact on Tourism: Building Trust and Confidence
A successful tsunami drill’s influence upon tourism cannot be emphasized sufficiently. As international travel increases, more and more tourists have certain expectations about their level of protection and readiness where they travel. For some, recognition that a destination has a viable disaster plan in place helps them make their decision about a vacation spot. Traveler doubts about safety, and, more specifically, about their vulnerability to natural disasters are high on lists of deciding factors. By showing dedication to disaster readiness, Patong will not only gain tourists’ trust, but will also convey to international travelers that they are ready for emergencies.

Phuket has long figured highly in popularity for international visitors, who travel there to admire its lovely beaches, high-end resorts, and vibrant entertainment options. Even before the pandemic, Phuket, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), welcomed millions of visitors per year, and entrepreneurs are bullish that travel will continue to increase, bringing about a rapid turnaround in tourism numbers to its beaches. With more than 9 million visitors traveling to Phuket alone in 2019, contributing to expanding that nation’s tourism economy, but in a region vulnerable to natural disasters, including tsunamis, keeping visitors feeling safe is also critical to maintain and expand those numbers.

Tsunami drills not only portray a sense of forward thinking but also reflect a location’s ability to handle emergencies while not disrupting tourists’ enjoyment and protection. As a popular beach resort town that hosts thousands of tourists a month, tourism-sensitive businesses can also put their customers at ease by unveiling their part and dedication to such drills. Hotels, travel agencies, in-house eateries, and beachside entrepreneurs, all who rely on revenue generated by tourists, stand to gain by understanding that their region will better handle disaster, should one arise. Furthermore, engaging in such drills promotes a strong message regarding the promptness of a community, which improves tourists’ experiences throughout.

Building Community Resilience
Aside from tourism activities, such readiness exercises strengthen the resilience of the community itself. Members, employees, and residents will all benefit from the awareness and training that will emanate from this tsunami drill, because they will better know what to do during a time of crisis. Local authorities will also have, in this drill, much-needed practice, which will put their evacuation plans, communications, and emergency systems to the test in real time. When, through frequent exercises, such systems are tested and refined, they are more efficient and effective, ensuring that everyone—the residents and tourists alike—will all have protection when disaster comes in full force.

Furthermore, they are included in the broader objective of the Phuket Disaster Management and Mitigation Plan, which aims to make the island disaster-resistant. Meant to protect not only physical properties of the region but also livelihoods of people who rely on the tourism industry for their income, keeping tourism viable as a functioning economic engine even when there’s a disaster helps leaders keep local businesses afloat, avoiding losses that could otherwise accrue after a catastrophe.

Patong’s proactive stance on disaster preparedness also serves as an example for other tourist destinations in Thailand and beyond. By incorporating local residents and tourists into the disaster response efforts, Patong ensures that its community is united and informed, and that no one is left behind. Whether it is a local restaurant owner, a hotel manager, a beach vendor, or a tourist enjoying the sun, everyone plays a role in ensuring that the evacuation plan is executed successfully. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of shared responsibility that strengthens the community’s ability to bounce back from a crisis.

Strengthening Regional Tourism Strategy

Patong’s tsunami drill is not just a one-time event, but part of a long-term strategy that focuses on improving disaster management practices across Phuket and all of Thailand. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in close consultation with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), has also been strengthening protection for tourists in disaster-prone areas. By initiating such drills, the government hopes to establish a culture of preparedness that can permeate all of Thailand’s most sought-after tourist hotspots.

Tourism remains one of Thailand’s most important industries, contributing highly to Thailand’s GDP. During 2019, Thailand had over 39 million tourists, and Phuket had recorded high numbers of tourists. Safety and security are key in ensuring high numbers of tourists, such as those Thailand had in 2019. By continuously improving disaster planning, Patong, apart from safeguarding its residents, promotes Phuket’s, and hence Thailand’s, reputation as a responsible and safe destination to visit. Embedding safety in one’s entire tourism product will guarantee that Phuket will remain competitive in the global market, and tourists will choose visiting the island not only due to its natural beauty but also due to its care for tourists’ wellbeing.

Looking Ahead: A Safer Future for Patong and Phuket

Patong’s tsunami drill is a clear message to the world: this popular tourist destination is serious about safety. By preparing for a natural disaster in advance, Patong is strengthening the foundation of its tourism industry while simultaneously fostering a stronger, more resilient community. The upcoming drill, along with ongoing efforts to enhance disaster management protocols, sets a precedent for other tourist destinations to follow. Now that this part of Asia Pacific continues to work towards full recovery from pandemic effects and receives more visitors, security such as the tsunami drill will become essential in enticing future travelers. The more tourists are convinced that they are well cared for, the more they will return or advise others about visiting there. Ultimately, Patong’s tsunami drill is not just a drill, but a long-term investment in tourism’s future, community resilience, and all those who reside in or travel to Patong. By investing in disaster preparation today, Patong will secure its position as a premier location for safe, memorable, fun travel experiences for years to come.

References:
Phuket Tourist Authority, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Patong Municipality, Ministry of Tourism and Sports Thailand, Thailand National Disaster Warning Centre