Myanmar Earthquake Impact: How a 7.7 Quake Shook Thailand
Thailand Evaluates the Fall of a Building in Bangkok After Quake in Myanmar
Severe quake causes buildings to collapse in Bangkok: A severe quake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, jolted Myanmar on Friday. It resulted in damage to structures over 1,000 km away in Bangkok, Thailand. A 33-story building under construction collapsed near Chatuchak market. So, it raised questions about safety designs and structural modification. According to city officials, at least 18 people were killed, 33 were injured, and 78 were unaccounted for as a result of the collapse.
Questions Raised About Building Safety
After addressing the fall of the building, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the scene of the accident. He instructed that an investigation be initiated. Experts raised questions as to why this specific skyscraper, built over 3 years and costing over $58 million, would collapse in an earthquake when other buildings remained intact. Civil engineer Prof. Suchatchavee Suwansawas stated that their investigation would show that there was either a fault during the design stage, or during the construction stage.
The Role of a Chinese Company Due to Develop
The building had been developed by a partnership consortium. It was with Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) and China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd., a division of a large state-owned Chinese construction company. The association of these two companies has led to increased scrutiny of the events. Given reports indicated a recent history of financial hardship for the Chinese company.
Authorities are investigating the roles of inferior materials or design flaws in the tragedy
Compressible Ground and Earthquake Susceptibility in Bangkok Experts have documented that soft Bangkok soil can amplify seismic waves and increase shaking. They have also expressed concern about utilizing a “flat slab” way of building. It will be more cost-beneficial but less earthquake resistant.
Rescue Efforts and Open Investigations
Excavation teams continue to guide thermal monitoring drones to check for any signs of life. The Thai government has constituted a high-level committee to check for the exact cause of the collapse. With these recent news updates, the international construction industry is watching how Thailand addresses this matter, since it is going to affect building codes.
