Computer glitches hamper Thai tsunami drill

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Computer glitches marred Thailand's biggest tsunami evacuation drill since the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster on Wednesday, a government attempt to boost tourist confidence ahead of the high season later this year.

Sirens blared as thousands of Thais and foreigners ran to higher ground during the one-day exercise in six southern provinces hit by the December 2004 tsunami which killed nearly 5,400 people in Thailand, including 1,953 foreigners.

Smith Dharamsoroja, head of the National Disaster Warning Centre, said he was not happy with a 20-minute gap between the first report of an undersea earthquake and signals sent to 79 warning towers in the region.

"It should be 10 minutes. We are a bit slow so we have to improve," said Smith, who for years had warned Thailand to prepare for a tsunami and has said another big quake is likely within several years.

"We don't have the right computers and software. We need better software and computers to analyse after receiving the first report," he said.

The towers, based on models from Taiwan and Hawaii, broadcast warnings in five languages -- English, German, Thai, Chinese and Japanese -- to ensure holidaymakers understand the threat and flee to higher ground.

Most of the towers are along Thailand's Andaman Sea coastline, which was hit on Dec. 26, 2004 by huge waves after a 9.1 magnitude quake off northern Sumatra.

When construction is completed next year, Thailand will have 300 warning towers as part of its national disaster warning system, officials said.

Home to some of Asia's premier beaches and resorts, Thailand has remained a top tourist draw despite a bloodless military coup last year, the tsunami, bird flu, and unrest in the Muslim south in recent years.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects 15.5 million tourists to visit the "Land of Smiles" next year, up from a projected 14.8 million arrivals in 2007.