3.5-magnitude quake causes minor damages in Thai North

CHIANG RAI, Thailand, June 22 (TNA) – an earthquake measuring 3.5 magnitude on the Richter Scale jolted Thailand’s northern Chiang Rai province Sunday afternoon, causing minor damages in some areas, according to the Meteorological Department. The agency said the quake occurred at 12.55 pm with its epicenter located in Mae Lao district at a depth of 6 kilometer. Chiang Rai provincial governor Pongsak Wangsamor said tremors were felt in Dong Mada and Pong Phrae sub-districts. He said he has ordered local authorities to inspect damages caused by the quake and prepare for possible aftershocks. Pongsakorn Chaknil, head of Ban Nong Kao Hong village in Dong Mada sub-district, said the quake added further damages to buildings that were damaged by the 6.3-magnitude earthquake on May 5. Earlier on the day, a 2.1-magnitude earthquake hit Phan district but there were no reports of damage or causalities, according to the Meteorological Department. It said the mild quake occurred at 4.38 am with its epicenter determined to be at 19.4048 degrees north latitude and 99.3900 degrees east latitude, with a depth of 1 kilometer. (TNA)