Tak province shaken by back-to-back earthquakes

A series of earthquakes took place near the Thailand-Myanmar border in Tak’s Umphang district early yesterday, according to the Seismological Bureau. No injuries or damage were reported.

Three tremors were detected with the epicentre in Umphang district, according to the bureau’s report.

A 3.9-magnitude quake shook an area in tambon Nongluang, Umphang district around 3.08am, at a depth of five kilometres.

Locals in Ban Nongluang village started to panic when they felt the strong vibrations. However, the situation returned to normal minutes later.

According to the report, a second tremor measuring 1.4 on the Richter scale occurred eight minutes later, followed by another measuring 2.4 in magnitude at 3.30am.

Since Jan 1, 48 tremors have been detected in northern provinces including Chiang Mai, Chaing Rai and Tak, ranging from 1.0 to 3.9 in magnitude.

Local officials have urged people living in quake-prone areas to prepare themselves.

Umphang district chief officer Pratheep Photeam said he ordered a team of officials including village heads to examine communities which were affected by the quakes. Authorities found no damage, he added.

Mr Pratheep also urged locals to remain vigilant about the possibility of further tremors and closely monitor the situation.

Tinnakorn Tatong, director of Department of Mineral Resources Regional Office 1 (Lampang) yesterday asked the public not to panic and to stay calm as fault lines are common in the North.

A total of 14 fault lines — both active and inactive — have been found in the uppermost northern provinces, he said, adding they however don’t usually generate impact or earthquakes.

Active “Mae Wang” fault lines in Chom Thong district, Mae Wang district and San Sai district in Chiang Mai can trigger a powerful quake, Mr Tinnakorn said.

A series of quakes which recently took place in Chiang Mai were triggered by movements in the Mae Wang fault lines.

However, according to Mr Tinnakorn, the quakes in Tak’s Umphang district were triggered by movements in the Si Sawad fault line which runs through Ban Rai district of Uthai Thani and Si Sawat and Nong Prue districts of Kanchanaburi.

On Jan 6, a 3.4-magnitude earthquake was felt in Chom Thong district, Chiang Mai province with no injury or damage reported.

The tremor occurred at 12.54pm with the epicentre around one kilometre beneath the surface.

It was the second quake that day, following a 2.2-magnitude tremor also one kilometre deep at 2.01am, the Seismology Bureau of the Thai Meteorological Department reported.