Chiang Mai Hit By Quake, No Injuries

Residents in three northern provinces were alarmed by an earthquake centred in Chiang Mai yesterday.

It measured 5.1 on the Richter scale, and was followed by 69 aftershocks that slightly damaged some buildings. There were no reports of any casualties. Suparerk Tansriratanawong, director-general of the Meteorological Department, said the quake was the strongest vibration ever to occur in Chiang Mai.He warned residents living near the earthquake's centre in the northern province's Mae Rim and San Sai districts to expect more earthquakes in the future. They should also keep abreast of official announcements about earthquakes from concerned government agencies and be prepared for evacuation in case of stronger vibrations, he said.

National Disaster Warning Centre director Smith Dharmasarojana said after a major quake, it was unlikely there would be another major vibration in the near future. He said Chiang Mai is still safe for tourists and residents.

Mr Smith said there are nine faultlines in Thailand that are still moving. Most of the faultlines run from the north to the western region of Thailand. Chiang Mai was on part of the faultline called Mae Ta. Yesterday's earthquake was technically moderate and occurred at about 30km under the ground.

He said vibrations on certain faultlines in the west could also affect Bangkok.

The earthquake rattled at least six districts in Chiang Mai about 12.02am yesterday. Residents felt the vibrations for about three seconds.

According to the Chiang Mai-based Meteorological Centre, the earthquake was followed by 69 aftershocks and residents in Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son also felt the vibrations.

Chiang Mai governor Wichai Srikhwan said a survey by provincial officials indicated that there was no serious damage or casualties from the quake.

Chiang Mai mayor Boonlert Buranupakorn has inspected buildings higher than 28 metres or eight storeys in his city. He said no buildings in Chiang Mai municipality were damaged as most of them were designed to accommodate earthquakes measuring up to seven on the Richter scale.

However, four buildings in Mae Jo University in San Sai district sustained slight damage. Cracks appeared on the buildings' walls and parts of the ceiling in two dormitory rooms fell down.

However, a university official said that there was no damage to the four buildings' structures and they remain safe for residents.

The quake prompted the Irrigation Department to inspect all large dams and reservoirs in Chiang Mai and Lamphun, including Mae Ngad Somboonchol and Mae Kuang Udom Thara, which are clay dams. Initially, the department found that all the dams were unaffected. Local officials will remain vigilant for changes in the dams' structure caused by the earthquake, department officials said.

Mr Smith said residents in areas at risk of earthquakes do not need to evacuate, but they should be aware that buildings in the areas must be able to sustain vibrations measured between five and six on the Richter scale that could happen any time.

The Interior Ministry's Public Works Department has warned that 10 provinces are at risk from earthquakes, while seismologists said soft soil in Bangkok would put the city at risk of seismic damage if an earthquake is centred in Kanchanaburi>