Many Tall Buildings In Bangkok Lack Specific Anti-Quake Features

[webfact]

Many tall buildings lack anti-quake

THANATPONG KONGSAI,

JANJIRA PONGRAI

THE NATION

About 2,000 tall buildings in Bangkok do not have specific anti-quake features installed but can endure minor quakes.

BANGKOK: -- "They are designed to deal with wind load and shear stress, so they can withstand moderate quakes," Winai Limsakul, chief of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administra-tion's Public Works Department, said yesterday.

All buildings constructed before the Building Control Act went into effect in 2007 were not required to have quake-proof designs, he said.

The Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning was working on regulations for these old buildings to add the protective features.

Deputy City Clerk Jumpol Sampaopon assured the public that they were safe from seismic activity.

"Bangkok is far away from earthquake zones," he said.

Amorn Pimanmas, executive director of the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT), said old buildings in Bangkok should be able to accommodate moderate oscillations. However, in case of a magnitude 8.0 earthquake in Myanmar's Sagaing Fault, they could be damaged.

On Sunday, a 6.8-magnitude quake on the Sagaing Fault caused casualties in Myanmar. Even though it was 1,200 kilometres away, it was felt in Bangkok.

That showed that buildings in Bangkok should be structured to deal with earthquakes, he said.

Authorities could introduce measures such as tax incentives to encourage the owners of old buildings to reinforce them.

"The focus should be on hospitals and public buildings taller than 10 storeys or more," he added.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had ordered authorities to come up with an improved and integrated earthquake-response plan.

"For example, all high-rises should have instructions posted on what people should do in the event of a quake," he said.

Lerdsin Raksasakunwong, a senior official of the Mineral Resources Department, said a building that can last through one minute of vibrations is considered safe enough.

-- The Nation 2012-11-14

[FOODLOVER]

Substandard concrete has been used as well in many of these buildings and nothing has ever been done. Take the airport as an example. What will happen when a high rise crumbles due to inferior concrete? Will anyone be held accountable for the hundreds if not thousands that will die? This is a real issue that has been swept under the rug. Kinda like the 900 plus people who died during Yinglucks water mismanagement disaster. All you hear about is the 87 killed due to illegal rioting. Why has there nothing been done for the 900 she let die? Add an earthquake to the lack of quality building materials and construction techniques and you have a disaster waiting to happen. Check the damns boys!

Edited November 13, 2012 by FOODLOVER

[kurnell]

Many??

[dcutman]

This article and many previous, only talk about the structure itself.

What about the millions of little red bricks stacked 3 or 4 meters high to build the interior walls,with absolutely no reinforcing. These walls are built rigidly between floors with no place to go in a shaking event.

Several tons of of these little red bricks toppling over on to your bed while you are sleeping, is very real and scary thought.

[Jimi007]

The article doesn't even mention the fact that Bangkok is built on a swamp and that liquefaction is most likely to occur if there is any decent sized quake in the area.

[Songhua]

Shoulda, coulda.

Wasn't aware Bangkok was 'far away' from Myanmar (seismic-wise). Anyhow, the Deputy City Clerk says there's nothing to worry about (because an improved and integrated response plan is to be discussed sometime in the future, just in case)

[FOODLOVER]

Many??

Or could be the Steele. Sleep well.

[asiawatcher]

Bit late now to be making an issue of this.

[Longtooth]

The article doesn't even mention the fact that Bangkok is built on a swamp and that liquefaction is most likely to occur if there is any decent sized quake in the area.

Exactly. The area of greatest damage in the last sizable San Francisco quake was down toward the bay on filled land where they said liquefaction had occured.

Edited November 14, 2012 by Longtooth

[FOODLOVER]

Example

[Jimi007]

The article doesn't even mention the fact that Bangkok is built on a swamp and that liquefaction is most likely to occur if there is any decent sized quake in the area.

Exactly. The area of greatest damage in the last sizable San Francisco quake was down toward the bay on filled land where they said liquefaction had occured.

I have a house in Santa Cruz, the epicenter of that quake. It did some pretty major damage many miles away. At first I couldn't believe the epicenter was so close to me, with all the damage I saw up in the SF Bay area.

[noitom]

This article and many previous, only talk about the structure itself.

What about the millions of little red bricks stacked 3 or 4 meters high to build the interior walls,with absolutely no reinforcing. These walls are built rigidly between floors with no place to go in a shaking event.

Several tons of of these little red bricks toppling over on to your bed while you are sleeping, is very real and scary thought.

And then just think about the shortcuts on the mortar. Save a satang here and there at the expense of "standards."

[Katipo]

Many??

We know they mean "all".

[fareastguy]

As in the case of the Tsunami, if a quake hit Thailand or surrounding area we all know what the outcome would be !

Thai officials can blag their way out of trouble now but when the rumble comes they will run for the hills.

Certain statements within the post defy even the most basic common sense,

a 6.8 quake 12,000 kilometres away showed that BKK should be safe ??

or.. if a building can withstand a minute of tremors it's considered safe enough.. hello take a look at Japanese structural technology & earthquake footage !!

Almost a cross your fingers & we will be OK attitude, very cavalier with the public's lives at stake !!

Very sad & very worrying..

[BEVUP]

I think thailand is getting it all in hand (theirs)

ITS FOUND THE SOLUTION

Become an INSURANCE HUB & pass the buck (not theirs)

[Stradavarius37]

Good thing I don't live in Bangkok, in one of those concrete death traps! Wonder how many TVers do? lol

[Stjohnm]

Right that's it we'll be moving to a Bungalow when the Mrs reads this.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[trainman34014]

Anyone who lives, or even works, in a high rise in Bangkok just didn't do their homework before they started. Good luck peoples...you're going to need it.

[DGS1244]

Having surveyed many buildings in Bangkok I can assure you none of them have been designed to be earthquake safe especially the contents etc.

[JeffreyWitty]

Why has there nothing been done for the 900 she let die? Add an earthquake to the lack of quality building materials and construction techniques and you have a disaster waiting to happen.

*sarcasm on* Yes, because we all know Yingluck's superhero power is she can command flood waters to recede! And her other superpower that tingle her spidey sense when any construction worker uses substandard materials! *sarcasm off*

Come on, next you are going to say that presidents of certain countries have the ability to control fuel prices set by private businesses.

[TexasRanger]

We moved out of our 20th floor condo in Bangkok after the floods and I'm glad we did, we felt 2 very minor quakes whilst there over the years, let's face it, even the fastest of us aren't getting down that amount of stairs and I sure as hell aren't getting in the elevator. II know you can't plan for every eventuality but no more 20th floors for me, an no more Bangkok, 7 years was plenty.

[radiochaser]

The article doesn't even mention the fact that Bangkok is built on a swamp and that liquefaction is most likely to occur if there is any decent sized quake in the area.

Exactly. The area of greatest damage in the last sizable San Francisco quake was down toward the bay on filled land where they said liquefaction had occured.

I have a house in Santa Cruz, the epicenter of that quake. It did some pretty major damage many miles away. At first I couldn't believe the epicenter was so close to me, with all the damage I saw up in the SF Bay area.

Are you two writing about the 1989 quake? I was in Livermore for that one.

[FOODLOVER]

Why has there nothing been done for the 900 she let die? Add an earthquake to the lack of quality building materials and construction techniques and you have a disaster waiting to happen.

*sarcasm on* Yes, because we all know Yingluck's superhero power is she can command flood waters to recede! And her other superpower that tingle her spidey sense when any construction worker uses substandard materials! *sarcasm off*

Come on, next you are going to say that presidents of certain countries have the ability to control fuel prices set by private businesses.

She tingles?

[Jimi007]

The article doesn't even mention the fact that Bangkok is built on a swamp and that liquefaction is most likely to occur if there is any decent sized quake in the area.

Exactly. The area of greatest damage in the last sizable San Francisco quake was down toward the bay on filled land where they said liquefaction had occured.

I have a house in Santa Cruz, the epicenter of that quake. It did some pretty major damage many miles away. At first I couldn't believe the epicenter was so close to me, with all the damage I saw up in the SF Bay area.

Are you two writing about the 1989 quake? I was in Livermore for that one.

Yes.

[radiochaser]

"Are you two writing about the 1989 quake? I was in Livermore for that one."

"Yes."

^^^^

If, as some here have written, Bangkok high rises lack earthquake resistant construction, then there may be tens of thousands dead and injured in a similar earthquake. Perhaps 100's of thousands.

By the way, I thought the epicenter for the 1989 earthquake was in Watsonville.

[hhiser]

Many??

Or could be the Steele. Sleep well.

http://www.thaivisa....apses-thailand/

One more reason to live in the countryside.

[atyclb]

"working on regulations for these old buildings to add the protective features"

Very good news for whomever will get the bribe money

[DocN]

As much as like to bash a little: earthquake- safe? Seriously, guys?

Just because there was an earthquake in Myanmar a few days ago, suddenly we get the idea to make things "earthquake"- safe?

I guess, my hometown of Hamburg Germany has many buildings, who are not earthquake- safe, because...there are no earthquakes!

Here in the area, we have minor quakes every whatsoever- years, so an earthquake would be my smallest fear, compared to general non existing safety- standards for material or construction.

As long as a badly insulated wire can cause a blaze and find myself trapped by a locked or blocked fire- exit, an earthquake doe not really bother me so much!

[Thai at Heart]

Even if the buildings survived, huge areas of bangkok would go through liquifaction.

So many of the buildings would fall over slowly instead of quickly.

[osiboy]

As much as like to bash a little: earthquake- safe? Seriously, guys?

Just because there was an earthquake in Myanmar a few days ago, suddenly we get the idea to make things "earthquake"- safe?

I guess, my hometown of Hamburg Germany has many buildings, who are not earthquake- safe, because...there are no earthquakes!

Here in the area, we have minor quakes every whatsoever- years, so an earthquake would be my smallest fear, compared to general non existing safety- standards for material or construction.

As long as a badly insulated wire can cause a blaze and find myself trapped by a locked or blocked fire- exit, an earthquake doe not really bother me so much!

your right, with other safety standards non existant i think the need to look at their priorities .