Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has announced a nationwide test of the country’s Cell Broadcast emergency alert system scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, aiming to evaluate the capability of the system to deliver rapid warnings to the public across all provinces.

The nationwide test will take place at two p.m. on January 20, 2026, and alert messages will be disseminated to mobile phones via the networks of Thailand’s major mobile operators, including Advanced Info Service, True Corporation and National Telecom, covering Bangkok and all 76 provinces.

The alert will sound and vibrate on compatible devices for around eight seconds and be accompanied by a pop-up message clarifying that it is a test, not an actual emergency, and does not require any action.

Phones must be connected to 4G or 5G networks and running at least iOS 18 or Android 11 to receive the broadcast.

Authorities have emphasised that genuine emergency alerts will never include links and urged the public to ignore any messages purporting to be a DDPM alert that ask for personal information or include external links.

The nationwide trial builds on earlier smaller-scale tests conducted in 2025 as part of efforts to implement a robust national alert system that can provide real-time hazard warnings, including natural disasters and other critical situations, directly to residents’ mobile devices, enhancing public safety and preparedness.