BANGKOK, March. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Thailand will begin to draw up evacuation plans for provinces along its southern coastline after waves of underwater tremors struck the region last week.

    "The situation is worrying and we want to alert local authorities and people so that they can prepare for an evacuation"if a big quake strikes, Smith Dharmasarojana, the head of the National Committee on Natural Disaster Warning, was quoted by Bangkok Post as saying Monday.

    He added more quakes could led to an eruption of underwater volcanoes, which could trigger a tsunami again.

    On Dec. 26, 2004, an unprecedented tsunami triggered by earthquake swept the six southern provinces of Thailand, killing some 5,400 people. The fatal wave also took a toll of more than 220,000 people worldwide.

    According to committee, 39 quakes ranging from magnitude 4.0 to5.3 have been detected near the Andaman Island between Mar 9-12. The epicenter of the tremor was located 20 km below seabed, the same depth as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

    Smith said they have been closely monitoring quakes and the warning system is working well. But the government so far has no plans to issue an evacuation order.

    "We will issue warning once we detect something strong like a tsunami," he added. Enditem