Alarmed workers hurried out of buildings in Bangkok on Monday morning following reports of vibrations and visible cracks in the buildings, though the scare was eventually deemed a false alarm.
Officials from the city engineering department clarified that the observed cracks were not recent developments, having originated during the earthquakes that struck Myanmar on Friday, thereby confirming the structural integrity of the buildings.
The evacuation took place around 10 AM, involving several key buildings such as Building A of the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, the Ministry of Labour in the Din Daeng district, and various court buildings along Ratchadaphisek Road.
Additional evacuations were executed at the Government Housing Bank headquarters in the Huai Khwang district, the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, and the Social Security Office in Din Daeng.
The Revenue Department responded by directing its Phaya Thai district headquarters staff to work remotely. Emergency evacuations also occurred at Taksin Hospital in the Klong San district and multiple high-rises along Silom Road and Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.
Deputy Interior Minister Sabeeda Thaised later reassured the public at the Government Complex that the buildings had been inspected and were confirmed safe by public works engineers.
Despite experiencing 15 aftershocks in Myanmar on Monday morning, described as minor by the Meteorological Department, their impact on Thailand was negligible, including two tremors of 3.7 magnitude at 9:29 AM and 10:05 AM.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra supported these findings, stating that the aftershocks in Myanmar had no significant effects on Thailand and the reported cracks in Bangkok’s buildings were pre-existing from Friday’s seismic events.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt provided further reassurance, noting that the cracks and vibrations reported in approximately 20 buildings in the capital were from the previous Friday.
The public’s heightened sensitivity following Friday’s earthquakes led to increased alarm upon seeing the pre-existing damage.
“People went back into many buildings… the situation has returned to normal. People might be too worried,” stated Governor Chadchart.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand maintained its operations, reporting no disruptions or evacuations and asserting the safety of its building.
PR representatives from the SET explained via telephone that some staff had exited the building following evacuations by other office workers nearby, although there were no official orders to evacuate from SET management.
On Monday, the Government Housing Bank reported that vibrations were felt on the 17th floor of Building 2 at its headquarters around 10:38 AM, prompting evacuations of staff and clients.
Following safety evaluations by engineers, the headquarters promptly resumed its operations.
