City engineers assure that cracks are not new and buildings remain safe.
PUBLISHED: 31 Mar 2025 at 13:13
UPDATED: 31 Mar 2025 at 14:13
On Monday morning, workers in Bangkok evacuated buildings amid reports of vibrations and cracks, which were later clarified as a false alarm by city authorities.
City engineers confirmed that the cracks are not new, having developed during Friday’s series of earthquakes centered in Myanmar, and asserted that the buildings are safe.
The evacuation took place around 10 AM, affecting several locations, including the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, the Ministry of Labour in Din Daeng district, and court buildings on Ratchadaphisek Road.
Additional evacuations were conducted at the Government Housing Bank headquarters in Huai Khwang, the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek, and the Social Security Office in Din Daeng.
The Revenue Department advised its staff in Phaya Thai district to work from home, while Taksin Hospital in Klong San and various high-rises on Silom Road and Vibhavadi Rangsit Road also followed suit.
Deputy Interior Minister Sabeeda Thaised reported that public works engineers inspected the structures at the Government Complex and deemed them safe for occupancy.
On that same morning, 15 aftershocks were recorded in Myanmar, although they were minor and had no effect on Thailand. Notably, two of these aftershocks registered magnitudes of 3.7 at 9:29 AM and 10:05 AM, as per the Meteorological Department.
Prime Minister confirmed that the aftershocks had no repercussions on Thailand and supported earlier statements that the reported cracks were not recent but remnants from Friday’s seismic activity.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt addressed public concerns, confirming that approximately 20 buildings experienced similar issues. He reassured that these cracks originated during the previous earthquake.
Citizens appeared anxious following the recent earthquake damage and were startled by the sight of the old cracks.
“People have returned to many buildings… the situation is normal again. There might have been unnecessary worries,” the Bangkok governor stated.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand confirmed that its building was secure, with trading operations continuing as usual and no evacuation orders issued.
An official from the Stock Exchange noted that some employees left their offices due to nearby evacuations, but management did not initiate any evacuation protocol.
The Government Housing Bank also reported that vibrations were felt on the 17th floor of their Building 2 at 10:38 AM, prompting an evacuation. Engineers verified safety measures before the bank resumed services.
