Thailand's West May Be Prone To Earthquakes

[Jai Dee]

Thailand's west may be prone to earthquakes

Dr. Thongchai Rojjanakanun (ธงชัย โรจนกนันทน์), a town-planning expert, is concerned that the western part of Thailand may be in risk of earthquake eruptions.

Dr. Thongchai has urged relevant officials to inspect structures of buildings and alert residents living in the west to prepare for possible earthquake, especially small buildings that were built before 1967.

The western provinces that officials should specially inspect are Samutprakarn (สุมทรปราการ), Pathumthani (ปทุมธานี), Chumporn (ชุมพร), and Ranong (ระนอง).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 January 2007

[taxexile]

could dr. thongchai be covering his back after thailands foremost fortune teller appeared on tv on new years day with his predictions for 2007.

apart from violent political rallies in bangkok in march and april and devastating flooding again this year , he also predicted a very strong earthquake in the west of thailand that would be felt in bangkok

[singa-traz]

Samutprakarn is quite close to Bangkok ... if any Earthquake is felt in this province, for sure it will be flet in Bangkok.

[Tony Clifton]

Thailand may be in risk of earthquake eruptions.

Mmm, someone should tell Dr.Thongchai or the Thai National News Bureau that there is a 0% probability since there is no such thing as an "earthquake eruption".

[eugengeri]

Samutprakarn is quite close to Bangkok ... if any Earthquake is felt in this province, for sure it will be flet in Bangkok.

Samutprakarn ? I hope the Crocodile Farm is earthquake sure.

[Tony Clifton]

The crocs should lie low in case of a quake.

[cclub75]

Mmm, someone should tell Dr.Thongchai or the Thai National News Bureau that there is a 0% probability since there is no such thing as an "earthquake eruption".

You're hard Tony !

I mean : it's a refreshing statement from a thai official, because it's... new.

Before it was more like : "we can not have earthquake in Thailand. It's impossible".

Edited January 3, 2007 by cclub75

[meemiathai]

Thailand may be in risk of earthquake eruptions.

Mmm, someone should tell Dr.Thongchai or the Thai National News Bureau that there is a 0% probability since there is no such thing as an "earthquake eruption".

Are you people really that stupid not to know those english words did not come out from the mouth of the Thai Dr. or simply trying to be humorous?

Just curious.

[meemiathai]

Ain't life wonderful?

We can mock and laugh at thais trying to predict something. And then criticize the thai government for not doing anything when shit really happens. We sure win!

[Diablo Bob]

Ain't life wonderful?

We can mock and laugh at thais trying to predict something. And then criticize the thai government for not doing anything when shit really happens. We sure win!

Well, his prediction on the West of Thailand being at risk of an earthquake is like predicting the sun is going to rise in the East tomorrow morning!

There is no land mass on earth that is NOT at risk from an earthquake. The only difference is some areas are more prone to earthquakes than others. Generally speaking, at the fringes of the tectonic plates. Where you have mountains, you have a lot of faults, where you have faults you have earthquakes.

His concern for the structural integrity of small buildings constructed prior to 1967 while with merit, negates the fact that ALL structures are probably at risk (Same structural formulas and assumptions used by the engineers).

While I applaud his concern, I think that it would be wiser to look to Bangkok when looking for risk. Bangkok is built in a delta region which by definition is sedimentary (layered sediment) which until recently had a rather high water table. All the conditions for structural failure due to liquefaction of bearing soils under a foundation system exist. Those that live in Bangkok can see the physical evidence every day, drive Hwy 1 out to Dom Muang, notice the dips between the columns on the elevated hwy, that is subsidence caused by the water table dropping.

Combine these geologic conditions with a significant seismic event can be catastrophic (Mexico City earthquake 1985).

Just my 2 cents worth........

[ThaiGoon]

Thailand may be in risk of earthquake eruptions.

Mmm, someone should tell Dr.Thongchai or the Thai National News Bureau that there is a 0% probability since there is no such thing as an "earthquake eruption".

Are you people really that stupid not to know those english words did not come out from the mouth of the Thai Dr. or simply trying to be humorous?

Just curious.

[Tony Clifton]

Thailand may be in risk of earthquake eruptions.

Mmm, someone should tell Dr.Thongchai or the Thai National News Bureau that there is a 0% probability since there is no such thing as an "earthquake eruption".

Are you people really that stupid not to know those english words did not come out from the mouth of the Thai Dr. or simply trying to be humorous?

Just curious.

I usually blame the Thai National News Bureau Public Confusion Department and their bad translation.

[Scott]

The basic point that the danger exists is good. Getting all the relevant departments to do something is a whole 'nother kettle of fish--as it would be in any country. Already existing structures most likely won't be inspected, but HOPEFULLY new buildings will be built to a higher standard. And if/when they aren't, someone can be held accountable. It's a start.

[AlexLah]

Thailand's west may be prone to earthquakes

Dr. Thongchai Rojjanakanun (ธงชัย โรจนกนันทน์), a town-planning expert, is concerned that the western part of Thailand may be in risk of earthquake eruptions.

Dr. Thongchai has urged relevant officials to inspect structures of buildings and alert residents living in the west to prepare for possible earthquake, especially small buildings that were built before 1967.

The western provinces that officials should specially inspect are Samutprakarn (สุมทรปราการ), Pathumthani (ปทุมธานี), Chumporn (ชุมพร), and Ranong (ระนอง).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 January 2007

Uuuurrrr what to prepare?

Maybe inflatable stairs at every room?

Or make sure you have all your important documents in a safety box?

Please also tell us what to prepare Dr. Thongchai!!!!

[astral]

Dr. Thongchai Rojjanakanun (ธงชัย โรจนกนันทน์), a town-planning expert, is concerned that the western part of Thailand may be in risk of earthquake eruptions.

Earthquakes do not erupt, that is volcanoes.

Is Dr Thongchai a geologist/seismolgist as well,

or has he just been to the local soothsayer?

Remember Bangkok was rocked by the earthquakes that caused the 2004 Tsunami,

and there is an earthquake monitoring centre in Chiang Mai, at the foot of Doi Suthep.

Not really new news.........................

Just scare mongering. :D

[John K]

There was another thread that had to do with an earthquake, that prompted me to find a map that showed all the fault lines. There is a significant fault that runs up from the gulf and passes about 5 km east of the new airport. I also have a friend back in the states that can recalled a significant quake in Bangkok in the 70's I think. I don’t remember what thread but I think it was about a 5.0 in the gulf that was felt in Pattaya. There is a link there to the map.

[Diablo Bob]

There was another thread that had to do with an earthquake, that prompted me to find a map that showed all the fault lines. There is a significant fault that runs up from the gulf and passes about 5 km east of the new airport. I also have a friend back in the states that can recalled a significant quake in Bangkok in the 70's I think. I don’t remember what thread but I think it was about a 5.0 in the gulf that was felt in Pattaya. There is a link there to the map.

While it is never a good thing to have an active fault underneath you, it isn't necessarily a good thing to think that distance from a fault line gives you a comfort zone. The actual earthquake that destroyed much of Mexico City had an epicenter somewhere around 200-300 miles away.

[AlexLah]

Data from station CHTO (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

last updated at

Thu 01/04/07 22:16 MST (Fri 01/05/07 05:16 GMT)

Nah, not much happening there.......

Live seismic data: http://aslwww.cr.usgs.gov/Seismic_Data/tel.../CHTO_24hr.html

Cheers,

[andy1308]

Is now a good time to remind people of this prediction?

[taxexile]

could dr. thongchai be covering his back after thailands foremost fortune teller appeared on tv on new years day with his predictions for 2007.

apart from violent political rallies in bangkok in march and april and devastating flooding again this year , he also predicted a very strong earthquake in the west of thailand that would be felt in bangkok

as i've always maintained , and will continue to maintain , thai fortune tellers and the good dr. thongchai are among the most professional and the best , if not actually the best , at what they do.

time and time again they come up with the goods.

o ye of little faith , let the doubters stand up and be counted.