Thailand's western border area hit by 4.8-magnitude earthquake

KANCHANABURI, THAILAND, July 15 (TNA) - A 4.8-magnitude earthquake hit Sangkhla Buri District in Thailand's Kanchanburi Province, bordering Myanmar, on Tuesday night, but there have been no reports of casualties or any serious damage. According to the Meteorological Department's report, the tremor took place at 9:36pm on July 14, with its epicentre located 4 kilometres underground in Sangkhla Buri District's Prang Ple Sub-district, followed by two minor aftershocks at around 9:39pm. Sangkhla Buri District Chief Chathip Rujanaseri told journalists on Wednesday morning that concerned officials have thoroughly surveyed affected areas, including those in Sangkhla Buri and Thong Pha Phum Districts to see impacts from the tremors for immediate responses. The Sangkhla Buri District Chief admitted that Tuesday night's earthquake was a strong one for his district, but the nearby Vajiralongkorn and Sri Nagarindra Dams were confirmed not to have been affected by the quake, urging the public not to be panic. However, Sangkhla Buri Hospital's Director Dr. Krisada Wutthayakorn, told reporters that in-patients were evacuated from the hospital, with eight critical ones having been transferred to another hospital, while 16 others have remained in front of the hospital's field medical unit until the situation fully returns to normal. The hospital director affirmed that none of the patients were injured during Tuesday night's evacuation but an inspection was underway to see whether there is any damage to medical equipment. (TNA)