ID :
172227
Thu, 03/31/2011 - 14:58
Auther :

Thailand to amend ministerial regulations to ensure buildings are earthquake proof

BANGKOK, March 31 (TNA) - The Department of Public Works and Town & Planning is preparing to amend ministerial construction regulations to ensure that all buildings are earthquake proof. This confirmation comes at a time when it is still unclear if there is potential for an earthquake to take place along Nakhon Nayok’s fault line.

At the Parliament building's conference room 203 on Thursday morning, the Prime Minister’s Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey chaired a meeting of relevant government agencies to discuss plans for dealing with potential earthquakes. Participating in the conference were representatives from the Meteorological Department, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, the Ministry of Culture, Department of Public Works and Town & Planning, the Office of Atoms for Peace, the National Disaster Warning Center and several academics.

The Prime Minister’s Office Inspector, Wisut Niratwongsakorn, said that the meeting covered the primary concerns of quake-related issues including the most-at-risk areas, the potential effects on dams, and safety concerns related to buildings with modifications or extensions. Next week, the same agencies will be gathering further information on these issues before presenting findings back to each other at a second congregation, along with quake-prevention plans. This meeting will also aim to determine whether or not a central coordination centre similar to the committee for flood-relief operations, would be necessary.

When asked about the possibility that the fault line that runs under Nakhon Nayok could potentially cause an earthquake in Bangkok, Wisut said that information is not yet sufficient for him to confirm, but that concerned agencies are gathering more information on the issue to present at the next meeting. He explained that what is certain however, is that the presence of a fault line is not the only factor that can cause an earthquake and that other factors must be focused on as well.

He added that the most worrying issue is the structural integrity of buildings, especially ones that have been extended and modified. To address this issue, a representative of the Department of Public Works and Town & Planning has indicated that his department is preparing to amend the Ministry of Interior’s construction regulations to ensure that these buildings are earthquake proof. (TNA)

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