In the aftermath of the powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar, Thailand, and nearby regions on March 28, authorities are stepping up their game to ensure building safety. City Hall has issued a new directive aimed at setting a gold standard for structural integrity and, let’s face it, peace of mind.
In an announcement shared on City Hall’s official Facebook page on Friday, a list of building types has been drafted, all of which will need to put their safety to the test by submitting detailed inspection reports. Here’s the rundown of who’s on the list:
- Sky-kissing high-rise buildings standing proud at 23 meters or taller.
- Expansive large buildings stretching over a total area of 10,000 square meters or more.
- Structures with the space to host the masses, bouncing over 1,000 square meters in floor area and seating upwards of 500 folks.
- Spectacular theatres hosting shows for the thrill-seekers and art lovers alike.
- Hotels, naturally, with a suite spot boasting 80 rooms or more.
- Service establishments spreading their wares across at least 200 square meters.
- Condominiums and residential towers where sprawling living means a total floor area of 2,000 square meters or above.
- Factory structures stacking up layer after layer over a total area exceeding 5,000 square meters.
- Eye-catching large billboards towering at 15 meters or scaling a display swath of 50 square meters or more, including those rooftop dazzlers with bases over 25 square meters.
All reports need to spill some essential beans: the building owner’s full official narrative, the expert opinion flashing from the ID of a licensed building inspector, their crucial observations on the building’s safety status, and any eagle-eyed recommendations for safety upgrades or earthly repairs.
Ensuring accessibility doesn’t fall through the cracks, BMA has laid down an online platform for the submission process. Building stewards can hop on and submit their inspections through this handy Google Form link: https://forms.gle/4dxiHsZCZZpbiGkQA.
In a bid for transparency that would make any city planner proud, City Hall has also rolled out a slick dashboard that tracks the incoming inspection reports with precision. The public, with their appetite for civic involvement, can scope out submitted status updates by visiting: https://openpolicy.bangkok.go.th/bkkbuilding.html.
Amidst the swirling dust of the quake’s impact, these measures mark a hopeful stride. It’s the city’s move to protect life and property and, above all, foster resilience, ensuring that not just buildings but communities stand strong and unyielding.
It’s high time Bangkok took building safety seriously, especially after such a catastrophic event.
Absolutely. But shouldn’t these measures have been in place before the earthquake?
True, prevention is better than cure. I just hope they keep up the momentum.
I think it’s better late than never. We need robust systems now to prevent future disasters.
Online submissions and public tracking sound great, but will people really use them?
It’s a step in the right direction. Once people see its benefits, they’ll hop on board.
Remember, people will only use it if the system is easy and the process transparent.
Theaters and hotels are on the list, but what about schools? Don’t they matter?
Good point! Schools should definitely be included for the safety of our children.
Exactly, an oversight like this could be costly in the long run.
Usually, educational buildings have some different regulations. But yes, they should be mentioned.
Including large billboards is a bit odd, they aren’t as dangerous as buildings!
You’ve never seen a billboard fall during strong winds. It’s a danger.
I guess you’re right about the winds. But is it really more urgent than other structures?
The directive sounds comprehensive and all, but implementing it is the real challenge.
I agree. It’s easy to announce grand plans. Sticking to them is what’s hard.
Only if they have the willpower and proper resources, implementation will be successful.
I wonder if the new regulations will drive up property costs. Safety doesn’t come cheap!
Probably. But isn’t safety worth a few more bucks?
Absolutely. I just hope it doesn’t make housing unaffordable.
I hope they include sustainable practices in these new standards. Time to think green!
I bet there will be tons of loopholes that some building owners will exploit.
Sadly, you’re probably right. Corruption isn’t uncommon in such processes.
A golden standard sounds great on paper, but will it be maintained year after year?
It will need constant vigilance and public pressure to keep up.
Indeed, let’s see if the public can hold them accountable.
Where’s the funding coming from for these implementations? Will the citizens end up paying for it indirectly?
The observers must ensure the structural integrity is up to international standards. Anything less is negligence.
International standards are crucial. Hopefully, the inspectors are well-trained and unbiased.
As a tourist, I hope this ensures that hotels are safer for us. Scary to think about earthquakes when traveling.
What about the older buildings? Will they have to comply with the same rules?
Retrofit costs could be astronomical for heritage sites. It’s a tricky balance.
I just want to know if this means our kids are safer at school now!
Let’s hope so! School safety should be top priority.