The installation process of tsunami early warning system in Thailand's southern Andaman region has begun and is expected to be fully completed by March next year, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Suranand Vejjajiva said here on Tuesday.

Suranand said the first 12 signal receivers -- acquired through the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology -- had arrived and are ready to be put in place.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam was expected to soon approve the use of the money, already endorsed by the cabinet, Suranand was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying.

After the first 12 towers are in place, the signal receivers could be completely installed by the end of next month, he said, adding that before mid-December the installation would be finished at 24 towers from a total of 62 structures.

The remaining 38 towers are expected to be completed in March next year.

The Minister added that the authorities would decide where more towers are to be placed, and which towers would be raised first.

The first towers and warning system would be built in areas that were hard hit by the tsunami last year and still "at-risk" areas, such as Khao Lak in Phang-nga province and Patong beach in nearby Phuket province, he said.

"The 24 towers are expected to be ready by December 26, the first anniversary of the disaster", he noted.

Thailand will conduct a variety of tsunami memorial ceremonies and special events during the December 25-27 period.

The tsunami swept through villages and resorts of Thailand's Andaman Sea coastal region last year, affecting the provinces of Ranong, Phang-nga, Krabi, Phuket, Trang and Satun. More than 8,500 people were dead, while thousands are still missing.

Suranand said each of the six provinces would have its own warning system by March next year.

Source: Xinhua