A recent earthquake in Bangkok has left 55 buildings deemed unsafe for use, with ongoing inspections assessing the full extent of the damage. The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning has reported that 6,487 buildings are operational, while 361 others show moderate damage. These inspections began on March 28 and continue as engineers assess various types of structures across the city.
On April 7, the Building Damage Inspection Centre, in collaboration with professional bodies such as the Council of Engineers, Engineering Institute of Thailand, and private sector volunteers, began evaluating buildings that had sustained damage. The inspections are categorized into three groups to ensure thorough assessment and prioritize safety.
The first group, consisting of public buildings such as hospitals, schools, and government offices, was inspected first. Between March 28 and April 6, inspectors reviewed 559 buildings. The results showed that 511 buildings were confirmed safe (green), 46 had moderate damage (yellow), and 2 were severely damaged and closed (red).
Private sector buildings, including high-rises, hotels, and shopping malls, were the second group to be inspected. These buildings are required by law to undergo annual checks, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has been responsible for notifying owners to comply. As of April 6, approximately 1,822 private buildings had completed their inspections, out of 11,000 notified.
The third group involves residential buildings, including homes and general buildings. The BMA continues to oversee inspections and provide advice to residents via Traffyfondue, with 17,623 of the 18,568 reports filed being completed as of April 6.
In addition to the inspections in Bangkok, authorities in the provinces also carried out evaluations of public buildings. Across 76 provinces, 6,344 buildings were reviewed, with 5,976 deemed operational, 315 showing moderate damage, and 53 closed due to severe damage.
In total, from March 28 to April 6, 6,903 buildings were inspected across Bangkok and the provinces. The results showed that 6,487 buildings remain operational, while 361 sustained moderate damage, and 55 were severely damaged and closed.
To assist the public, the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning provides consultations through a variety of channels, including hotlines available 24/7.