Thailand deemed safe from a serious land earthquake

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Thailand deemed safe from a serious land earthquake

Fault lines are scattered around the country, but are not a major problem. Experts say a future catastrophe is more likely to be generated way off the western coast by the Sunda, Burma and India plates

Published: 29 Apr 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

A frightening scenario of hundreds of buildings crashing down and tsunami surges devastating vast areas of Thailand is unlikely, experts say, even though numerous fault lines criss-cross the country.

NOT THE END OF THE WORLD: Residents enjoy an outing organised by Phuket provincial authorities to boost people’s confidence in public safety following a recent earthquake and rumours that the island would sink yesterday. PHOTO: ACHADTAYA CHUENNIRAN

Thailand, they believe, faces a low risk of major damage from an earthquake. The main problem is fear itself based on ignorance, which was abundant recently in Phuket where residents have suffered tremors for two weeks.

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dao
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Discussion 6 : 29 Apr 2012 at 21.136
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This headline is misleading .It should read there is a potential risk from tsunamis in the south around Phuket which is a major tourist destination .
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lookmoo
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Discussion 5 : 29 Apr 2012 at 21.035
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Thai agencies have about 0- % credibility. Statement's is altered and filtered before they reach the public to make sure nothing that can hurt investors and Tourists confidence is coming out.. but actually, it is contra-productive in the Internet age.
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nameless

Discussion 4 : 29 Apr 2012 at 19.574
for everthing there is a first time, and many many years ago some people would have said "its absurd to think the earth is a ball, its obviously flat as a dish"

as i agree that panic is no solution i shake my head over "expert" statements regarding mother nature.
and i have not more as a smile for selfclaimed experts reading wikipedia and than posting their wisdom about this matter here in the comments.

have fun :)
from iPhone application.
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dougo
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Discussion 3 : 29 Apr 2012 at 11.003
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@2 Japan never thought the same. They are the most aware and vigilant country in the world about earthquakes.

Thailand is not unique in the population's ignorance of seism. A lot of Americans think there is a likelihood that California will break off and sink into the Pacific Ocean, this despite the fact that the San Andreas fault involves no vertical movement. If anything, the Pacific Ocean is contracting and as the ocean floor subducts under coastal land the land will rise, not subside. Phuket is similar in that a plate is subducting under Indonesia from the SW. The prediction that the island would subside yesterday was absolutely absurd.
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siamitude
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Discussion 2 : 29 Apr 2012 at 10.132
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Japan used to think the same...
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hillfarang
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Discussion 1 : 29 Apr 2012 at 07.051
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Earthquake science deals in probabilities, not direct causality.

Thailand could get hit with a big one, any year, any month.

The best strategy is to be prepared at all times!
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Thailand deemed safe from a serious land earthquake | Bangkok Post: news