PUBLISHED: April 2, 2025, 20:48
The rescue operation at the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok entered its fifth day on Wednesday, as officials express a diminishing hope of locating survivors. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt provided updates on the situation, noting the dual focus of ongoing rescue efforts and recovery operations.
Approximately 100 tonnes of debris had been removed as of Monday night, allowing rescuers to navigate the site despite the absence of further survivors. To date, 14 bodies have been detected, though they remain unrecovered.
Governor Chadchart emphasized the risks involved, stating, “Heavy machinery brings risks of collapsing debris,” but assured that improvements are being sought through consultations with international experts.
In a recent seminar, Prof. Pennueng Vanichchai, director of the Earthquake Research Centre of Thailand, urged for increased research into active fault lines that may lead to future earthquakes. He highlighted that while many fault lines exist in Southeast Asia, those in Myanmar pose greater risks.
Prof. Pennueng advocates for enhanced construction practices to ensure buildings can endure seismic activity, despite Bangkok’s classification as a low-risk area. He noted that last Friday’s quake was categorized at the first level on a standard construction gauge for high-rises.
To strengthen structures against seismic shocks, he proposed allocating 10%-20% of a new building’s budget for reinforcing existing constructions, with a particular focus on schools in Chiang Rai.
As part of an innovative research initiative, tremor sensors are being installed in tall buildings, including hospitals in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, to gather data for real-time earthquake alerts. Klang Hospital in Bangkok is set to be the first facility in the capital to participate in this vital project.
