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Quakes batter Thailand's north
Chiang Rai woman dies; tremors felt in Bangkok

Published: 25/03/2011 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Two powerful earthquakes hit northern Burma last night, sending shock waves that shook buildings in many parts of Thailand and caused panic among high-rise residents in Bangkok.

A 55-year-old woman, Hong Khamping, was killed when a concrete wall collapsed on her in Chiang Rai province, where the tremors were strongest.

A 7-magnitude quake at 8.55pm was followed by a 5-magnitude quake at 9.23pm, according to Thailand's Meteorological Department.

The quakes were 10.2 kilometres underground on a small fault line on the Burmese-Lao border, according to the Mineral Resources Department.

Somchai Baimuang, deputy director-general of the Meteorological Department, said people in the North and West of Thailand, as well as those in Bangkok, could feel the tremors, especially those living in high-rise buildings.

In Bangkok, about 50 residents of Ratchathewi Tower ran downstairs to gather in front of the building, while a condo's residents on Rama 3 Road reported that the building shook so hard that doors slammed.

Mr Somchai said people in affected areas should follow reports from the Meteorological Department and be prepared for an emergency.

He said the earthquakes in Burma were a consequence of the Japanese quake causing movement of the tectonic plate in Burma.

In Chiang Mai, locals felt a quake for about 10 seconds. Several people ran out of their houses. The quakes were also felt in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Tak and Loei provinces.

Suthat Sriwilai, director of Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital in Muang district, said a strong tremor could be felt at the hospital, but there was no damage. "We decided not to evacuate patients but are on standby for any emergency situation," Dr Suthat said.

Some buildings were cracked in the International Institute of Labour Skills Development in Chiang Saen district, according to witnesses.

In Mae Hong Son, the quakes caused an electricity blackout throughout the province. Officials at Mae Hong Son Hospital fled in panic.

In Wiang Haeng district of Chiang Mai, a woman said she felt her bed roll from side to side. She ran out of her single-storey house in panic and stooped to the ground as the tremor was so strong. "The ground shook for about three minutes," the woman said. Her house is about 12km from the border with Burma.

In Phayao, a tremor was felt for about 10 seconds over wide areas in Phu Sang, Muang and Chiang Kham districts. Many residents were seen standing in open fields in darkness. Some said they scurried out of homes when the ceiling lamps began to swing. No structural damage was reported.

Chaiwat Chanthimak, owner of Phu Aksorn publishing house in Loei's Chiang Kham district, said he thought his house was rolling. He said patients of the district hospital across the street gathered in the parking lot. The tremor lasted for about a minute.

Mr Chaiwat said he saw the hospital staff move inpatients out of the ward.

Weerachai Saisakaew, assistant director of maintenance of the dams operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, said the quakes did not affect major dams such as Srinakarind in Kanchanaburi province, Bhumibol (Tak) and Sirikit (Uttaradit).

Most major dams were located far away from the epicentre, he said.

National Disaster Warning Centre director Somsak Khaosuwan said the agency had closely monitored the possible impact on Srinakarind dam and would issue a warning to people living near the dam to evacuate if necessary.
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