Thai Deputy PM instructs reduction in disaster management level
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, also serving as the National Commander of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, has made an important announcement regarding the disaster management level in the country. According to a report from The Nation, the disaster management level has been downgraded as of March 30.
The decision to downgrade the disaster management level comes after the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command had elevated it to large-scale (Level 3) on March 28, 2025. This escalation was in response to a powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar, causing widespread destruction and putting lives and property at risk. The quake occurred approximately 326 km northwest of Pang Mapha District, Mae Hong Son Province.
Authorities have now assessed the situation and determined that conditions have stabilized. The impact on the public has been mitigated, damages addressed, and infrastructure and transportation systems restored. Relief efforts are still ongoing, with search operations in Bangkok continuing to locate individuals trapped in affected areas.
Following these developments, the disaster management level has been lowered from large-scale (Level 3) to medium-scale (Level 2) under the 2021–2027 National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Plan. Provincial Governors and the Governor of Bangkok will continue to lead emergency relief efforts in their respective regions.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirmed on March 31 through a Facebook post that the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation had assessed the earthquake’s impact across 18 provinces and Bangkok. The severity had not expanded, and affected areas are now under control. As a result, the disaster level has been downgraded, returning authority to provincial governors and the Governor of Bangkok to manage the situation within their areas.
The DDPM will continue to coordinate, monitor, and support operations nationwide to ensure a seamless disaster response and assist citizens in returning to normal life as swiftly as possible. The focus now remains on recovery and restoration to bring back a sense of normalcy to the affected regions in Thailand.
