Thailand's Dams Should Be Earthquake Safe

[webfact]

Thailand's Dams Should Be Safe

Gregers Moller

Most of Thailand's big dams are located near or straddle geological fault lines, where earthquakes like the one that hit Burma and shook Mae Sai, Chiang rai and Chiang Mai on Thursday 24 March may happen.

Last year, the House committee on state security summoned in June geologist Adichart Surinkham of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to provide information over growing concern that the active fault under the Sri Nagarindra Dam might finally bring it down.

However, Adichart Surinkham told the committee that only minor earthquakes had taken place since the dam was constructed with little or no dammage to the dam. In fact the small earthquakes were good because they would reduce the risk of severe quakes, he had explained according to The Nation's report from the meeting.

Of all 13 faults in Thailand, Adichart said the most dangerous one was in Chiang Rai.

"No one can say exactly when an earthquake will erupt, but the fault there can instigate an earthquake with magnitude of up to 5 or 6 on the Richter scale," he had added, in effect prediting the earthquake on Thursday evening 24 March 2011.

In conclusion, Adichart Surinkham had told the committee, that although most dams in Thailand straddled fault lines, they should be able to withstand seismic vibration.

source: http://www.scandasia.com/viewNews.php?news_id=8555&coun_code=

-- SCANDASIA.COM 2011-03-25

[asiawatcher]

This guy is kidding right? And he get's the terminology award ... "...when an earthquake will erupt"

Gee dad? I thought only volcanoes erupted!

[garyh]

This guy is kidding right? And he get's the terminology award ... "...when an earthquake will erupt"

Gee dad? I thought only volcanoes erupted!

Remember TIT.

[webfact]

Thai Dams Found Unaffected by Myanmar Quake

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has assured that dams across the country have not been affected by the earthquake in Myanmar.

Deputy director of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, or EGAT's, General Maintenance Division, Veerachai Chaisakaew, who is also responsible for inspection of strength and durability of dams across the country, said last night's 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar had no impact on dams in Thailand.

He revealed that EGAT examined data from earthquake detectors installed at every dam in Thailand and found that there was no impact at any dam as the epicenter is far from Thailand's major dams, such as Srinakarin Dam in Kanchanaburi province, Bhumibol Dam in Tak and Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit.

EGAT urged Thais not to panic as none of its dams were affected by last night's tremors.

Veerachai went on to say that EGAT has frequently checked the strength and durability of each dam so the safety of dams and public properties as well as of lives of people living near them is ensured.

EGAT also advised members of the public to use discretion when listening to general information as they should wait for official statements from relevant agencies.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-25

[givenall]

Of course nothing will go wrong in Thailand, this countryids blessed by good luck all the time.

I have never heard other than rosy explanations for anypossible disasters in Thailand since I live over here. Instead of tell usthings will be ok, they better tell us how they were made and what the designspecs were used to withstand what kind of shake. Support the information withdata only

[Khun Jean]

If it can stand an 6 it will be obliterated by a 7, otherwise an 8 will do the job.

It is just a risk and how probable a strong quake is.

You can bet one thing though that if something bad happens none of the people who make money with it will be killed. Just thousands of 'peasants'.

[Tokay]

They said the same thing about the Japanese nuclear power plants.

Look, they can't even keep the internet on when it rains here. I have ZERO faith in anything else they build, especially a dam that is supposedly earthquake proof.

[whybother]

They said the same thing about the Japanese nuclear power plants.

Look, they can't even keep the internet on when it rains here. I have ZERO faith in anything else they build, especially a dam that is supposedly earthquake proof.

The Japanese plants survived the earthquake. The tsunami was bigger than they planned for, and damaged or washed away back up generators used to pump cooling water.

[Tokay]

The Japanese plants survived the earthquake. The tsunami was bigger than they planned for, and damaged or washed away back up generators used to pump cooling water.

That was my point (planning). Whatever size earthquake they *think* the dam can withstand, all it takes is one that is larger than they planned for, or the corners they cut when building it come back to haunt them. And unlike the Japanese who build structures to withstand very strong quakes, you can bet your bum no structure in Thailand is built as well as they are in Japan.

I wouldn't want to live downstream from a dam in Thailand. And heaven help them if they move forward with their nuclear power plant dream.

[lungmi]

They said the same thing about the Japanese nuclear power plants.

Look, they can't even keep the internet on when it rains here. I have ZERO faith in anything else they build, especially a dam that is supposedly earthquake proof.

The Japanese plants survived the earthquake. The tsunami was bigger than they planned for, and damaged or washed away back up generators used to pump cooling water.

My spiritual teacher (Luang Pho Kumjon) was high engineer in the the government. He stopped his engagement 25 years ago for corruption to become a monk.

He told me that the Bhumiphon Dam (Tak Province) is highly protected against earthquakes. Why? International Companies withy the best of Thailand engineers made it.

It's not common use in Thailand.

Edited March 25, 2011 by lungmi

[lungmi]

They said the same thing about the Japanese nuclear power plants.

Look, they can't even keep the internet on when it rains here. I have ZERO faith in anything else they build, especially a dam that is supposedly earthquake proof.

The Japanese plants survived the earthquake. The tsunami was bigger than they planned for, and damaged or washed away back up generators used to pump cooling water.

My spiritual teacher (Luang Pho Kumjon) was high engineer in the the government. He stopped his engagement 25 years ago for corruption to become a monk.

He told me that the Bhumiphon Dam (Tak Province) is highly protected against earthquakes. Why? International Companies withy the best of Thailand engineers made it.

It's not common use in Thailand.

Luang Pho gave up his job as supervisor for geologic research in Esarn Dams. Companies asked him to sign for jobs they never did. Big money, ladies and so on.

[surangw]

"should be safe) as in they are safe, or they should make them safe?

[dcutman]

Should be able to withstand a seismic vibration. ???

How about a frigging 6.8 earthquake. SHOULD they be able to withstand one of those.

[jimbeam1]

Have I missed it? Or has it been stated What magnitude earthquake, Thai Dams built to withstand?

jb1

jb1

[g00dgirl]

There are two other "locations of concern" in Thailand, Panya said: the Three Pagoda fault line in Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces and the Khlong Marui fault in the southern provinces of Surat Thani, Krabi and Phang Nga. Both fault lines regularly cause small earthquakes of 2.03.0 magnitude, with the greatest possible quake being 6.0.

Map of Kanchanaburi province

http://www.kanchanaburi-info.com/en/mapProv.html

Srinagarind_Dam in Kanchanaburi province

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srinagarind_Dam

The original cost of the dam was estimated to be $45 million but because the dam was constructed on a fault line, the dam's foundation had to be reinforced which raised the cost to $114 million.[3]

Vajiralongkorn Dam in Kanchanaburi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajiralongkorn_Dam

Edited March 26, 2011 by g00dgirl

[g00dgirl]

[bangon04]

Of course nothing will go wrong in Thailand, this countryids blessed by good luck all the time.

I have never heard other than rosy explanations for anypossible disasters in Thailand since I live over here. Instead of tell usthings will be ok, they better tell us how they were made and what the designspecs were used to withstand what kind of shake. Support the information withdata only

Don't underestimate the power of the special amulets which were tossed into the earthworks to protect the dams.