At 2 PM (ICT) on Jan 20, 2026, many phones across Thailand will suddenly play a loud warning tone. It may be sharp enough to turn heads in offices, schools, trains, and cafes.
This is only a test, not a real emergency. The alert is part of a nationwide trial of Cell Broadcast, run by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), with coordination support from agencies including the telecom regulator NBTC and local messaging support in Bangkok from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
A quick heads-up now can stop panic later. Tell people who might be startled, older family members, children, coworkers, and hotel guests who may not follow local news.
What will happen at 2pm (and why it may surprise you)
Photo by Image Hunter
At 2pm, phones connected to a supported mobile network may do three things at once:
- Play a loud alert tone (often around 8 seconds)
- Vibrate
- Show a pop-up message that can appear even on the lock screen
The surprising part is that many devices are designed to get attention fast, so the sound may trigger even if the phone is on silent, vibration mode, or locked. Behavior varies by model and settings, but the goal is simple: people notice it immediately.
For this scheduled test, the message should disappear on its own after a short time. No action is required for the test, beyond staying calm and helping others understand what happened.
What the test message will say (plain-English meaning)
The on-screen text should read like an official notice that DDPM is testing the system, it is not a real situation, and no action is needed.
One important safety reminder: a real Cell Broadcast alert should look like a system alert. It should not include links or ask for personal information.
For background on the nationwide schedule and public guidance, see Bangkok Post reporting on the Jan 20 test.
Who should receive the alert, and why some phones might not
Cell Broadcast is built into modern phones and network systems. It does not work like a normal text message, and it does not require installing an app.
Many people in Thailand should receive the alert if their phone and connection meet basic requirements, but results can vary by handset model, software version, and the local network at that moment.
Devices and networks, quick checklist
- iPhone: iOS 18+
- Android: Android 11+
- Connection: on 4G or 5G at the time (signal quality matters)
- No app needed
- No sign-up needed
Thailand carriers commonly mentioned in public briefings include AIS, True, DTAC, and NT. Still, no one can promise every phone on every network will behave the same way during a live test.
If you do not get the alert, what could it mean
Not receiving the alert at 2 pm doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. Common reasons include an older operating system, a weak signal or a drop to 2G or 3G coverage, a handset model with limited Cell Broadcast support, temporary carrier issues, or the phone being powered off or in airplane mode.
Simple next steps: update the OS when convenient, restart the phone later, check emergency alert settings, and watch for official confirmations after the test. A plain-language overview was also shared in Nation Thailand’s explainer on the 2pm Cell Broadcast test.
How to check your phone settings before 2pm (iPhone and Android)
Phone menus vary by model and language, so keep checks basic. The most practical steps are to update software, confirm alert toggles are enabled (if shown), and make sure there’s a mobile signal around 2pm.
iPhone: quick settings check
Update to the latest iOS version available for the device. Then open Settings and search for notification and alert options, looking for items such as Government Alerts or Emergency Alerts (names may vary by region). If those toggles appear, keep them on.
Even with low volume, some devices may still play emergency tones loudly by design.
Android: quick settings check
Install available system updates. Then open Settings and use the search bar for Emergency alerts or Wireless emergency alerts. Confirm alerts are enabled.
Wording and location can differ across brands like Samsung, Pixel, Oppo, and Xiaomi.
Stay scam-safe: how to tell a real alert from a fake one
Safety check: A real Cell Broadcast alert is a built-in system notification. Official alerts do not include links, do not ask for passwords, and do not request payments.
If a message includes a link, treat it as suspicious. Don’t click. Take a screenshot, then verify through official channels such as DDPM, BMA, NBTC, or trusted news outlets. If needed, report it to the platform or your carrier.
For a government overview of how Cell Broadcast works in Thailand, see Thailand.go.th’s explainer on Cell Broadcast Service.
Red flags that suggest a scam message
- Shortened links or strange URLs
- Requests for bank details or ID photos
- Urgent prompts to install an app
- “Confirm your identity” instructions
- Promises of compensation or refunds
- Odd sender names and poor spelling
- A long chat thread (the 2pm test should be one short alert)
Helping others stay calm, simple scripts for schools, workplaces, hotels, and sensitive listeners
When dozens of phones sound at once, confusion spreads fast. A simple, consistent line helps: “It’s a DDPM test, no action needed.”
People with anxiety or sound sensitivity may want extra preparation. Lowering volume may not prevent the tone, so the best plan is awareness, ear protection if needed, and reassurance that the sound is brief.
Parents, schools, and caregivers: prevent panic in kids and older adults
Tell children and older relatives before 2pm that a loud tone may happen and it’s only a test. In classrooms, a 30-second teacher announcement can prevent a chain reaction of fear.
Caregivers may want to stay nearby at 2pm, especially for people who startle easily or use hearing aids.
Work sites, outdoor crews, hotels, and tour operators: quick heads-up that avoids confusion
Supervisors can warn teams that phones may sound for about 10 seconds, then return to work. Hotels and tour operators can add a short note at check-in or before departure briefings.
Tourists on roaming phones may also receive the alert if their device is compatible and connected to a supported network, but results can vary.
Why Thailand is testing Cell Broadcast now, and what it is meant to improve
Thailand faces fast-moving risks, including floods, storms, and other major incidents where minutes matter. Cell Broadcast is meant to push warnings quickly to phones in affected areas without waiting for downloads, app notifications, or social media sharing.
Tests like this help agencies measure real behavior across networks and phone models, then fix gaps before the system is needed in a real situation. It also supports better public warning habits during seasonal hazards, including heavy rain and flooding alerts such as Northern Thailand heavy rain and flash flood warnings and localized flood impacts like floodwaters in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai.
FAQ: fast answers about the Thailand emergency alert test
Is this a real emergency?
No. It’s a scheduled nationwide test at 2pm (ICT) on Jan 20, 2026. No action is needed.
Why did my phone scream even on silent or Do Not Disturb?
Emergency alerts are designed to break through common sound settings. The exact behavior can vary by device and software.
What if I do not get the alert at 2pm?
It can happen. Common causes include older software, a weak signal, airplane mode, or device limitations. Check updates and settings, then follow the official test summaries later.
Will it work on Wi-Fi only?
Cell Broadcast is tied to the mobile network. Wi-Fi alone may not receive it if the phone isn’t connected to a supported mobile signal.
Can I turn these alerts off, and should I?
Some phones offer toggles for government or emergency alerts. These alerts are meant for safety, so consider leaving them on unless there’s a strong personal reason.
How do I know if an alert is a scam?
Treat any alert with a link or a request for personal data as suspicious. Real Cell Broadcast alerts should not ask for passwords, money, or app installs.
Will tourists on roaming SIMs get it?
Often yes, if the phone supports Cell Broadcast and is on a supported network. Results may vary by handset, OS version, and roaming setup.
Conclusion
At 2pm, the best plan is simple: tell people nearby it’s a test, expect a short loud tone, and let the message clear on its own. Before 2pm, check updates and emergency alert settings, and make sure there’s a mobile signal. Ignore any “alert” that includes a link, and verify through official channels after the test.
The goal is calmer, faster warnings when Thailand needs them most, not fear.
Sources and reporting notes
This explainer is based on public announcements and reporting from DDPM-led briefings and Thai media coverage, including Bangkok Post reporting on the Jan 20 test and Nation Thailand’s Cell Broadcast test notice, plus background material from Thailand.go.th’s Cell Broadcast Service explainer. Device behavior can vary by handset model, operating system, carrier, and local signal conditions.
