PUBLISHED : 20 Nov 2023 at 04:30
A 4-magnitude quake struck Sangkhla Buri district early yesterday morning, causing tremors which were felt all across Kanchanaburi.
In the wake of the temblor, authorities ordered an inspection of all public buildings and infrastructure in the western province.
Kanrawee Sitthicheewapak, director-general of the Thai Meteorological Department, said the epicentre of the quake was near tambon Nong Lu, at a depth of about six kilometres.
The initial tremor was detected at 3.07am.
The Earthquake Observation Division said the quake was caused by tectonic activities along the Three Pagodas Fault.
Many people living in Sangkhla Buri district took to Facebook yesterday, saying the earthquake had woken them up as their houses shook.
Nataya Noomwatana, a local vendor, said that while her team was preparing their merchandise, she heard noises from the roof of her market and from the ground under her feet. The quake sent vendors at the market fleeing to safety, she said.
Two previous quakes have been reported in Sangkhla Buri in recent years — one on July 14, 2015, which measured 4.8 on the Richter scale, and another on Aug 20, 2015, which measured 4.5 on the Richter scale.
Tossapol Chaikomin, Kanchanaburi governor, has ordered Sangkhla Buri district chief Sutthiporn Siwawetpikul to survey the damage to buildings.