Awareness of Disaster Risk and Preparedness: Insights from a Survey of Children and Adults in Thailand

Enhancing disaster awareness and preparedness is crucial for building resilient societies. This study comprehensively assessed the levels of disaster awareness and preparedness among children and adults in Thailand through qualitative and quantitative surveys. Children strongly emphasized the importance of disaster education in school curricula, leveraging multimedia channels for risk communication, and implementing early warning systems. In contrast, adults exhibited a greater understanding of the significance of business continuity and disaster management technologies. These findings revealed disparities in disaster awareness across age groups. The insights from this study suggest age-specific engineering system approaches to information dissemination, contributing to the development of inclusive disaster preparedness strategies that incorporate diverse stakeholder perspectives. Children highlighted the need for practical training on survival skills, accessible disaster communication through SMS alerts, and monitoring systems for timely information dissemination. Adults, on the other hand, placed greater importance on business continuity planning and recognized the usefulness of technologies like satellite imagery for disaster management. By identifying these gaps and areas for improvement, this research provides valuable guidance for tailoring interventions, fostering a culture of preparedness, and harnessing technological solutions that resonate with the needs and concerns of different age cohorts within Thai society.