Nations pull together for daring rescue bid

International operation at SAO site was tightly structured and forged valuable lessons, says deputy governor, writes Wassayos Ngamkham, Poramet Tangsathaporn and Apinya Wipatayotin

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THE devastating earthquake that struck 24 provinces in Thailand, including the capital, left us citizens in shock, especially those included in which the State Audit Office building collapsed and trapped dozens of work-ers under debris.

But in the midst of the crisis, a remarkable display of international cooperation unfolded, showing that when disaster strikes, countries can come together to save lives.

Assoc Prof Tavida Kamolvej, deputy governor of Bangkok, known for her expertise and calm under pressure, shared insights into the seamless coordination between Thai authorities and international rescue teams.

Assoc Prof Tavida, known as Madam Disaster in the popular press, has a pivotal role in managing disaster response. She told the Bangkok Post the rescue operation was highly structured.

"The operation's tasks were divided into clear roles. While Bangkok gov-ernor Chadchart Sittipunt supervised internal areas of the disaster zone, the deputy governor took charge of the external areas, ensuring international teams were properly registered and controlled as they entered the site.

"We must ensure we know who is doing what, where, and when," she said, emphasising the importance of coordination to avoid chaos.

THAI, FOREIGN TEAMS UNITE

The operation was not only a challenge in terms of logistics but also required a sophisticated understanding of how to handle the situation with precision.

"The Thai teams were trained in how such operations are conducted overseas, and the integration of inter-national experts and their technology was key.

"It's not about being better or worse; our teams are well-trained. But facing real disaster situations, we learn new lessons. The tools and expertise that international teams bring can make all the difference," she said.