Bangkok, Thailand: In the aftermath of a massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck neighboring Myanmar on March 28, many residents in Bangkok are now rethinking their housing situations. Phatsakon Kaewkla, a 23-year-old sales coordinator, felt particularly anxious when he returned to his 22nd-floor apartment to find significant cracks in the walls. Despite assurances from condominium owners that structural engineers had declared the building safe, residents like Phatsakon are questioning their safety in high-rises that are typically not associated with seismic activity. “I feel a little bit scared. And also my mum told me to move out from here,” he expressed, reflecting a widespread sense of fear among residents.

This earthquake is the most intense tremor to affect the Thai capital in generations, leading to damage across numerous residential buildings. Owen Zhu, a Bangkok-based real estate consultant, noted the pronounced impact on the property market, stating, “People seem to have realized that living in high-rise buildings might carry greater risks when it comes to earthquake resistance compared to two-story or low-rise structures.” The quake has sparked a deluge of inquiries from those reconsidering their living arrangements.

Diverse experiences have emerged from those affected. Turkish resident Yigit Buyukergun was with his wife in their 22nd-floor flat during the quake. He reported substantial damage, saying, “Everywhere is cracked, especially in the corridor.” While landlords claim their units are “100 percent safe,” many tenants express skepticism about these reassurances. Zhu commented that disagreements between landlords and tenants over the safety of quake-damaged apartments are increasingly common, resulting in a gap in perception regarding their habitability.

Prior to this incident, earthquake safety regulations in Thailand were reportedly lax, and concerns about structures were seldom voiced by potential buyers. Compounding the anxiety following the earthquake was the collapse of a 30-storey construction project, trapping numerous workers, with many still unaccounted for. Authorities are investigating possible use of substandard materials in these developments.

In the face of this crisis, Zhu mentioned that many clients are pivoting toward low-rise options, while remaining high-rise seekers demand units that withstood recent earthquakes with minimal damage. He anticipates that property values will ultimately rise as the demand for earthquake-resistant buildings grows, leading to enhanced safety standards in Thailand's real estate market.

Though discussions of improving building regulations abound, for residents like Buyukergun, these measures do little to alleviate concerns regarding geological unpredictability. “Thailand is safe,” he reflected, bringing home the unexpected nature of the recent events.

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