Moderate quake hits Thai North

BANGKOK, July 20 (TNA) - A moderate earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale jolted Thailand’s northern Mae Hong Son province Saturday but there were no reports of casualties or damage said the Mineral Resources Office Region 1 in Lampang province. According to the agency, the quake took place at 8.54 a.m., with its epicenter located at a depth of 252 kilometres, in the northwest of Mueang district of Mae Hong Son province bordering Myanmar. It said the quake’s tremor could not be felt by Thais due to far distance. Earthquakes frequently occur in northern Thailand because there are several fault lines in the region. Meanwhile, officials of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office in the southern province of Ranong conducted an emergency drill following mudslide incidents in La-un district which is surrounded by high mountains. The drill was organised with an aim to enable native people to learn how to escape and protect their property if such incident takes place in future during the monsoon season. (TNA)