Life in Bangkok Resumes Normal Rhythm After Earthquake
Bangkok, March 31 – Life has resumed its rhythm in Bangkok, with the city almost fully recovered from the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar that sent tremors through the Thai capital three days ago.
Traffic Returns to Normal
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt confirmed that traffic has returned to normal on all routes, including the Yellow and Pink Line railways and both directions of the Din Daeng Expressway. However, minor disruptions remain on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road near the site of a collapsed building in Chatuchak District and at the crane dismantling site in Bang Pho, Bang Sue District.
Residual Aftershocks
Chadchart urged the public to remain calm and not to panic, emphasizing that residual aftershocks from the recent earthquake were minor and had little impact on Thailand, to the extent that they were barely perceptible.
Building Structural Integrity
He further explained that buildings that withstood Friday’s earthquake remain structurally sound. "The weight of people inside a building is negligible compared to the building’s total structural load. If a building can support its own weight, the likelihood of collapse is extremely low," he said.
Structural Damage Assessment
An initial inspection by the BMA of structural damage in Bangkok revealed two buildings deemed unsafe for occupancy, affecting approximately 2,000 residents as of Monday. Temporary accommodations have been arranged, with 172 individuals currently using these facilities.
Disaster Severity Level
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated that the Minister of Interior, in his capacity as the National Commander for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, has downgraded the disaster severity level from Level 3 (major disaster management) to Level 2 (moderate disaster management).
Death Toll and Missing Persons
The Bangkok Emergency Medical Centre, better known as the Erawan Centre, reported that the death toll from the collapsed building in Chatuchak District has risen to 11, with over 70 people still missing and believed to be trapped in the rubble. Last Friday, the construction site for the new headquarters of the State Audit Office, located in Chatuchak District near Bang Sue Grand Station, collapsed following the powerful earthquake in Myanmar, which also caused significant tremors in Bangkok.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the city of Bangkok has made significant progress in its recovery from the earthquake, with traffic returning to normal and building structural integrity remaining intact. While some minor disruptions still persist, the public can be reassured that the situation is under control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current state of traffic in Bangkok?
A: Traffic has returned to normal on all routes, including the Yellow and Pink Line railways and both directions of the Din Daeng Expressway.
Q: Are there any buildings that are deemed unsafe for occupancy?
A: Yes, two buildings are deemed unsafe for occupancy, affecting approximately 2,000 residents as of Monday.
Q: What is the current death toll and number of missing persons?
A: The death toll is 11, with over 70 people still missing and believed to be trapped in the rubble.
Q: What is the current disaster severity level?
A: The disaster severity level has been downgraded from Level 3 (major disaster management) to Level 2 (moderate disaster management).