Analysis Quake Risk Lurking Under Bangkok: Fault Lines Spell Trouble

[emptypockets]

What a bunch of nervous Nellie's.

[happydreamer]

"with a mere 10% chance of happening in a lifetime, they highlight a non-zero risk."

 

groundbreaking revelation.  Tell us wise sage...is there anything thats not a non-zero risk in life.  

[richard_smith237]

5 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

So what is the earthquake durability of Bangkoks buildings? That is the question that should be asked and depending on the answer, acted upon.

 

I think that was 'answered' - 1 building collapse (due to corruption).

 

Despite the considerable distance from the epicenter, Bangkok experienced significant shaking due to seismic wave amplification caused by the city's deep, soft alluvial soils - we all know that by now.

 

Remarkably, the city's infrastructure largely withstood the seismic event.  only major structural failure was the collapse of a 30-story building under construction, intended to house Thailand’s State Audit Office. This tragic  96 confirmed fatalities, with several individuals still missing.

 

Investigations into the 'State Audit Office Building' collapse that resulted in 96 confirmed fatalties have uncovered significant structural deficiencies, including the use of substandard materials and design flaws, particularly in the building's lift shaft. These issues have led to criminal charges against 17 individuals, including prominent construction executives.

 

In contrast, Bangkok's extensive expressway network and other high-rise structures remained intact - I think this demonstrates the effectiveness of modern engineering practices and that there was adherence to updated building codes, older buildings also seem well built.

 

Considering the localised magnitude of the quake in Bangkok – estimated to be roughly equivalent to a 6.0 on the Richter scale – one could reasonably argue that the city and its infrastructure withstood the event remarkably well.

 

A quake of that same localised intensity could have been far more devastating in other major cities such as London, Paris, or Barcelona. Their older building stock and codes.

Fortunately, the lack of proximity to fault lines or susceptibility to seismic amplification naturally renders these area's far less vulnerable.

 

Thus - I think there is a strong argument to suggest that the durability of Bangkok's Buildings and infrastructure, was tested, and it passed - Yes, cosmetic damage but no major structural damage or collapses - arguably, thousands and thousands of lives saved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[connda]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok's unique geography makes it susceptible to earthquakes, despite Thailand's low overall risk of tremors, warns Prof Pennung Warnitchai from the Asian Institute of Technology.

Someone needs their 15 minutes of fame. 

[VBF]

5 hours ago, manta said:

Time to move the Capital..

Maybe to Ayutthaya or Sukhothai even?

[Cat Boy]

Lions and Tigers and Bears, ..... oh my 🙄

[kiwikeith]

18 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

That Chatuchak building would have eventually collapsed, with or without earthquake.

 

18 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

That Chatuchak building would have eventually collapsed, with or without earthquake.

Because earthquake resistance wasn't applied to the construction and corruption of building materials and shortcuts 

[richard_smith237]

6 hours ago, kiwikeith said:

On 5/16/2025 at 1:07 PM, tomazbodner said:

That Chatuchak building would have eventually collapsed, with or without earthquake.

 

On 5/16/2025 at 1:07 PM, tomazbodner said:

That Chatuchak building would have eventually collapsed, with or without earthquake.

Because earthquake resistance wasn't applied to the construction and corruption of building materials and shortcuts 

 

At of this seems to be falling back on the 'quality of rebar' used from the Xin Ke Yuan Steel Co.

(rebar labelled SKY).

 

A wear-house; Amata City Chon Buri industrial estate just Collapsed (yesterday), the same steel was found in this construction as that used in the Chatuchak Building (earthquake collapse).

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3027775/saos-steel-brand-found-at-collapsed-factory-in-chon-buri?

 

 

Its not the earth quake where the risk exists - but the layers and layers of corruption.

 

 

 

[geisha]

On 5/16/2025 at 9:47 AM, wensiensheng said:

 

I think it’s like most topics, Thailand has plenty of laws, rules and regulations. They just aren’t observed or enforced. Traffic laws are a visible classic example. Buildings regulation observance is far less visible….until there is an earthquake that is.

20 000 + die on Thailands roads and no one gives a damn. 
Why would they enforce building regulations ?

[josephbloggs]

On 5/16/2025 at 7:21 PM, jas007 said:

The technology is there to make buildings that are more or less earthquake proof. The question whether the Thai authorities can make it happen.  Can they set building standards and see that they're enforced?

Well apart from the dodgy one still under construction that collapsed, all buildings were earthquake proof.

There's a great video of a structural engineer explaining earthquake resistance and how no building can be said to be earthquake proof, but they can be earthquake resistant. He said they are designed to not collapse and to keep people safe, and likened it to a car. If you have a big car crash, your car gets crumpled but you remain safe and walk away, then the car design has done its job - no one expects to have a car crash and not see damage, as long as the occupant is safe it has done its job. In most cases it can be repaired, in severe cases written off. But no one died. Same as buildings - if there is an earthquake but people remain safe the building may have some damage that can be repaired, it may have damage that can't be, but it kept the occupants safe. 

Someone posted the video on here but I can't find it - it was interesting and enlightening.