Thailand’s Earthquake Damage: 34 Buildings Deemed Unsafe After National Checks

[webfact]

A traffic policeman manages the traffic after it opens for public at the site of an under-construction high-rise building that collapsed after an earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

 

In the wake of a recent earthquake, inspectors have flagged 34 buildings across Thailand as severely damaged, rendering them off-limits for safety reasons.

 

A sweeping national inspection was carried out by the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning (DPT) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), covering an impressive 3,375 buildings. Thankfully, a vast majority of 3,130 structures passed the safety checks, while an additional 211 showed moderate damage.

 

Checks spanned from March 28 to April 1, sorting buildings into three key categories. The first group focused on government structures like public hospitals, schools, and offices in Bangkok, scrutinised by the DPT, Council of Engineers, and volunteer experts.

 

Meanwhile, the private sector’s towering high-rises, hotels, condos, and bustling shopping malls fell into the second group, each independently required to run their own post-quake checks.

 

 

 

Residences, commercial spaces, and other general buildings in Bangkok comprised the third category under direct oversight by the BMA. In the provinces affected by the temblor, the DPT marshaled local engineers and volunteer inspectors to assess the situations. With 2,600 certified inspectors registered online, public consultation was urged to ensure thorough safety checks.

 

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has enacted powers under the Building Control Act of 1979, necessitating all building owners to undergo inspections.

 

The BMA has proactively reached out to 11,000 private proprietors, urging them to follow through—112 have completed these checks so far. And, as concerns mount, Traffy Fondue, BMA’s complaint system, reveals a surge of 15,514 safety reports, with a commendable 13,612 resolved.

 

For ongoing concerns, the DPT has initiated a 24-hour hotline as a lifeline for safety updates, available 24 hours a day at 1531, 02-299-4191 and 02-299-4312. 

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post

 

-- 2025-04-03

 

 

[whiteman]

ONLY 34    

[sammieuk1]

Sister in-law told she can move out if she wants to but her 16k deposit will be forfeited .. it will all get messy in BBK high rise market for sure  🤔

[redwood1]

I guess they will be selling those high rise 30 million baht condos for 30 thousand baht.....I might have to pick up a few....

[fondue zoo]

 

Is it me or they conspicuously avoiding mentioning the private schools in Bangkok.

There are many that were built prior to 2000, 2 story and 3 story buildings as part of the amenities.

 

One school close to use, it's private but not overly "fancy", the owner is very much dragging the chain to have the place inspected.

This is after she has been sent the links to the volunteer inspection services the Gov is offering by parents.

 

[lordgrinz]

14 minutes ago, fondue zoo said:

 

Is it me or they conspicuously avoiding mentioning the private schools in Bangkok.

There are many that were built prior to 2000, 2 story and 3 story buildings as part of the amenities.

 

One school close to use, it's private but not overly "fancy", the owner is very much dragging the chain to have the place inspected.

This is after she has been sent the links to the volunteer inspection services the Gov is offering by parents.

 

 

My daughters private school was inspected over the weekend and reopened on Tuesday, though there was very little structural damage (visual or otherwise) in my area.

[MarkBR]

2 hours ago, fondue zoo said:

 

Is it me or they conspicuously avoiding mentioning the private schools in Bangkok.

There are many that were built prior to 2000, 2 story and 3 story buildings as part of the amenities.

 

One school close to use, it's private but not overly "fancy", the owner is very much dragging the chain to have the place inspected.

This is after she has been sent the links to the volunteer inspection services the Gov is offering by parents.

 

Parents might reassess whether their children should go to a school where the owner drags their feet in getting it safety inspected.

No sane parents want to risk their children.

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A traffic policeman manages the traffic after it opens for public at the site of an under-construction high-rise building that collapsed after an earthquake in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

 

In the wake of a recent earthquake, inspectors have flagged 34 buildings across Thailand as severely damaged, rendering them off-limits for safety reasons.

 

A sweeping national inspection was carried out by the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning (DPT) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), covering an impressive 3,375 buildings. Thankfully, a vast majority of 3,130 structures passed the safety checks, while an additional 211 showed moderate damage.

 

Checks spanned from March 28 to April 1, sorting buildings into three key categories. The first group focused on government structures like public hospitals, schools, and offices in Bangkok, scrutinised by the DPT, Council of Engineers, and volunteer experts.

 

Meanwhile, the private sector’s towering high-rises, hotels, condos, and bustling shopping malls fell into the second group, each independently required to run their own post-quake checks.

 

 

 

Residences, commercial spaces, and other general buildings in Bangkok comprised the third category under direct oversight by the BMA. In the provinces affected by the temblor, the DPT marshaled local engineers and volunteer inspectors to assess the situations. With 2,600 certified inspectors registered online, public consultation was urged to ensure thorough safety checks.

 

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has enacted powers under the Building Control Act of 1979, necessitating all building owners to undergo inspections.

 

The BMA has proactively reached out to 11,000 private proprietors, urging them to follow through—112 have completed these checks so far. And, as concerns mount, Traffy Fondue, BMA’s complaint system, reveals a surge of 15,514 safety reports, with a commendable 13,612 resolved.

 

For ongoing concerns, the DPT has initiated a 24-hour hotline as a lifeline for safety updates, available 24 hours a day at 1531, 02-299-4191 and 02-299-4312. 

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post

 

-- 2025-04-03

 

 

34 detected. And how many undetected? Hundreds?

[mfd101]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

the private sector’s towering high-rises, hotels, condos, and bustling shopping malls fell into the second group, each independently required to run their own post-quake checks.

Guaranteed to produce satisfactory outcomes ...

[Watawattana]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, the private sector’s towering high-rises, hotels, condos, and bustling shopping malls fell into the second group, each independently required to run their own post-quake checks.

 

Residences, commercial spaces, and other general buildings in Bangkok comprised the third category under direct oversight by the BMA. In the provinces affected by the temblor, the DPT marshaled local engineers and volunteer inspectors to assess the situations. With 2,600 certified inspectors registered online, public consultation was urged to ensure thorough safety checks.

I wonder what the standard of inspections were?  International standard using appropriate detection devices?  Or just a visual check?  Or no check at all?  Not very inspiring.

[Chris BKK]

Name the 34 buildings considered unsafe

[robz]

If you listen cracks and your budgie becomes nervous:

 

 

[MikeandDow]

9 minutes ago, Watawattana said:

I wonder what the standard of inspections were?  International standard using appropriate detection devices?  Or just a visual check?  Or no check at all?  Not very inspiring.

International standard is visual !!

Following an earthquake, inspections of quake damage involve a two-phase process: a rapid assessment to identify safe and unsafe buildings, followed by a detailed inspection to determine the extent of damage and necessary repairs.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the inspections:

1. Rapid Assessment (Initial Phase):

Purpose:To quickly identify buildings that are obviously safe (no damage) or obviously unsafe (high risk of collapse).

 

Method:

Teams of structural engineers or trained inspectors conduct a visual assessment of buildings, looking for major structural damage, potential hazards, and signs of instability.

Outcomes:Buildings deemed safe are marked as such and may be re-occupied

Buildings deemed unsafe are marked as such and may be closed off to prevent further casualties. Buildings with uncertain safety status are marked for detailed inspection.

2. Detailed Assessment (Second Phase):

Purpose:

To determine the extent of damage and the necessary repairs or interventions.

Method:

Structural Assessment: Engineers conduct a thorough inspection of the building's structure, including walls, floors, roofs, and foundations.

Building Systems Assessment: Inspectors assess the condition of building systems such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. 

Damage Identification: Any damage, including cracks, structural issues, or compromised building systems, is identified and documented. 

Recommendations: Engineers provide recommendations for repairs, strengthening, or demolition, as need

Outcomes:Buildings are assessed for their usability and safety.

Recommendations are made for repairs, strengthening, or demolition. 

Appropriate postings (e.g., "SAFE," "LIMITED ENTRY," "UNSAFE") are placed on the building to inform the public. 

[ronster]

How many would be high rise hotels that are 4* and up that make a lot of money and will get a pass for the right fee .

[Peabody]

How many in each group?

[connda]

Where's the list?

[Graham8888]

5 hours ago, whiteman said:

ONLY 34    

 

4 minutes ago, connda said:

Where's the list?

 

4 minutes ago, connda said:

Where's the list?

And are these buildings shut down , emergency signage barriers around themetc, etc

[Graham8888]

57 minutes ago, Watawattana said:

I wonder what the standard of inspections were?  International standard using appropriate detection devices?  Or just a visual check?  Or no check at all?  Not very inspiring.

Online surveys?!

[Travel Dude]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

34 detected. And how many undetected? Hundreds?

From the article:

The BMA has proactively reached out to 11,000 private proprietors, urging them to follow through—112 have completed these checks so far.

[Travel Dude]

From the article:

The BMA has proactively reached out to 11,000 private proprietors, urging them to follow through—112 have completed these checks so far.

[newbee2022]

Just now, Travel Dude said:

From the article:

The BMA has proactively reached out to 11,000 private proprietors, urging them to follow through—112 have completed these checks so far.

Thanks, I hope they will not stop with the checks

[Rolo89]

Admitting 1% of checked buildings are unsafe and could collapse is huge.

 

I wonder how many of the 200 they've deemed at amber risk are actually red and how many of 31'000 safe actually have no structural damage.

 

Private companies would supress disclosing the real state of their buildings.

[smedly]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, the private sector’s towering high-rises, hotels, condos, and bustling shopping malls fell into the second group, each independently required to run their own post-quake checks.

that is alarming, maybe lost in translation - should have read

 

each required to run their own independent expert post-quake checks. 

[ujayujay]

Only 34....come on, this is wishful thinking.....Whoever believes

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Guaranteed to produce satisfactory outcomes ...

Inspected to what degree ?

[jcmj]

Meanwhile, the private sector’s towering high-rises, hotels, condos, and bustling shopping malls fell into the second group, each independently required to run their own post-quake checks.

I’m sorry, but I certainly wouldn’t trust this at all. Independent, by who and by when? Only 112 have done it so far doesn’t seem like they are really concerned about getting the buildings checked. I hope that they follow up, because we all know too well how things work here. Maybe most are fine, but it only takes one and the story changes. 

[Freddy42OZ]

My building is not a high end condo, its maybe a C-Grade building. I pay 10k THB a month for a 50 sqm, one bedroom condo. 

We had engineers going over the entire building last week, including coming into our units to check cracks. 

I have a few cracks in my walls and tomorrow at 10am they are coming back to check again.

None of the cracks appear to be structural, so I'm not even slightly concerned about them.  But from an aesthetic point of view, who wants ugly cracks in their walls.

 

[chrischronic]

My condo shared the inspector's report, with many photos, checking areas of the building—top and bottom, roof, etc. They started on the day of the earthquake for a quick assessment and then the following day for a thorough investigation. We were sent a report in the chat saying all was clear. Everyone also shared pictures of cracks and damage in their units, and today the worker came and marked all cracks and took pictures for the building's insurance. Our building is filing an insurance claim, and we will get repairs. The building owner lives on the top floor and is a senior woman. We may be lucky because she was afraid for her home and got things moving quickly.

[PuiPuiHarry]

9 hours ago, whiteman said:

ONLY 34    

The rest they could not see, as their eyes were covered.. with THB-notes.

In the tower my lady friend lives in many crackes in tiles, on floors etc.

[ozz1]

These inspectors where did they get their qualifications? in a cornflakes packet probably