Third quake rattles Phuket, Phang Nga

Phuket:- Phuket and Phang Nga were rattled by a third quake of 4.7 magnitude late Wednesday night.

The Seismology Bureau of the Meteorological Department reported that the quake happened south of Koh Yao 30 minutes after midnight or 0.30 am Thursday. Its epicenter was about eight kilometers under the earth’s surface.

Koh Yao is part of Phang Nga but it is closer to Phuket.

The first quake also happened near Koh Yao. It was measured at 4.6 magnitude and it happened at 4:18 am Wednesday. The first quake’s epicenter was 10 kilometers under the earth’s surface.

Then at 12:25 pm, a second earthquake, measuring 3.2 in magnitude, happened halfway between Phuket and Koh Yao. Its epicenter was about 1 kilometer below the earth's surface.

The latest quake was felt in Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. Residents of the three southern provinces reported on social networks that they felt the quake. Most of them posted messages that they felt the latest one was stronger.

No tsunami warning was issued for the latest quake and two previous ones.

Although no tsunami warning was issued, Morgan or Sea Gypsy people, who live on the Rawai beach in Mueang Phuket district, evacuated and took a shelter at park in front of a resort.

Tambon Rawai Municipality Mayor Aroon Soros rushed to the spot with his officials to take care of the sea gypsy people. He also ordered some officials to watch the sea level.

The Rawai sea gypsy people were transported back to their homes at 2:30 am after it was certain that no tsunami happened.

In the meantime, sea gypsy people who live on Koh Sireh in Tambor Rassada also evacuated to a school about two kilometers away from their village. They returned home about an hour later.