On Friday, a significant earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck Myanmar, causing noticeable tremors in Bangkok, Thailand. Residents, including Kanittha Thepasak, initially mistook the sensation for dizziness until they noticed movement in their surroundings, prompting many to evacuate buildings and gather in the streets.
The earthquake caused minimal damage in Thailand compared to Myanmar, yet it led to widespread anxiety among residents. Many are hesitant to return to high-rise offices and homes following the destruction of a building under construction in Bangkok, which resulted in at least 11 confirmed fatalities, with around 75 workers still unaccounted for.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams utilizing excavators and trained dogs to search the rubble for survivors and recover bodies. Workers on-site have reported overwhelming evidence of fatalities, complicating the search efforts.
The earthquake has prompted a reassessment of the safety and stability of Bangkok's numerous high-rise buildings, many of which have been constructed in recent years amidst a construction boom. Residents are expressing fear and uncertainty, questioning the structural integrity of buildings that were previously thought to be sound.
Government officials, including Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, have sought to reassure the public by issuing updates and declaring the situation under control. However, the psychological impact of the earthquake remains significant, with many residents contemplating disaster preparedness for the future.
Experts are calling for stricter enforcement of building codes, noting that Thailand's earthquake-resistant regulations were last updated in 2007. The collapse of the under-construction building has raised serious concerns about potential failures in design or oversight.
As rescue efforts continue, the atmosphere at the site of the collapse is filled with grief and tension, with families of the missing anxiously awaiting news. People across Bangkok are adjusting their daily routines and revealing a newfound wariness towards high-rise living.
The incident has sparked comparisons to other tragic building collapses globally, emphasizing the long-lasting effects such disasters can have on a community and its resilience.