Over 50 Buildings Declared Unsafe in Thailand After Myanmar Earthquake Triggers National Inspections
BANGKOK, Thailand – April 7, 2025 — In the aftermath of the March 28 earthquake centered in Myanmar, Thai authorities have ramped up structural safety efforts, leading to over 50 buildings being declared unsafe nationwide. According to the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT), more than 6,200 buildings were inspected across Thailand, with 52 structures now officially closed due to safety risks.
Breakdown of Inspections and Findings
- Total buildings inspected nationwide: 6,276
- Unsafe buildings (Red level): 52
- Moderately damaged (Yellow level): 342 (44 in Bangkok, 298 in other provinces)
- Cleared as safe (Green level): 5,882
These inspections were led by the Building Damage Inspection Center, in coordination with engineering associations and 89 private-sector volunteer structural engineers.
Key Inspection Areas
Inspections were prioritized based on risk and public utility, focusing on:
- High-occupancy public buildings in Bangkok
- Private sector buildings subject to annual safety checks
- General residential structures
- Hospitals and government offices across all 76 provinces
Bangkok at the Center of Concern
In Bangkok alone:
- 535 public buildings under 186 government agencies were inspected.
- 2 declared unsafe
- 44 marked for caution
- 489 cleared for regular use
- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has notified nearly 11,000 private buildings to undergo evaluations under the Building Control Act, with over 1,200 inspections already completed.
- More than 16,500 out of 18,089 public reports submitted via the “Traffy Fondue” platform have been addressed.
Provincial Findings
Outside of Bangkok:
- 5,741 buildings were inspected.
- 50 buildings declared unsafe
- 298 with moderate damage
- 5,393 safe for continued use
Safety Classification System
Buildings were classified under a three-tier color code:
Green – Safe for use
Yellow – Moderate damage; caution advised; needs follow-up
Red – Unsafe; structurally compromised; access prohibited
These classifications are preliminary and may change following detailed engineering assessments.
Government Response & Public Support
The DPT has established 24-hour helplines and continues to provide updates via official channels. Emergency funds have been allocated, and public safety remains the top priority. The inspections aim to ensure transparent communication, swift repairs, and continued monitoring as aftershocks remain possible.
Residents are encouraged to remain alert, report suspected damage, and cooperate with authorities for safety checks.
