Bangkok Earthquake Aftermath: Phatsakon Kaewkla’s Struggle with High-Rise Safety Concerns

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In the bustling heart of Bangkok, where glimmering skyscrapers pierce the sky and life buzzes along vibrant streets, a sense of unease crept in after a cataclysmic event shook the city to its core. On March 28, an earthquake of formidable magnitude hit central Myanmar, sending shockwaves that rippled all the way to the Thai capital. As buildings trembled and the earth rumbled, residents like 23-year-old Phatsakon Kaewkla found themselves gripped with fear.

Returning to his home, perched on the 22nd floor of a high-rise condo, Phatsakon was confronted with ominous cracks snaking along the walls. Although the owners of his building were quick to assure him that engineers had stamped the structure as safe, the young sales coordinator’s confidence was far from restored. “It was terrifying,” Phatsakon admitted, his mother’s voice echoing in his mind as she urged him to seek refuge elsewhere.

Bangkok, known for its skyline dotted with towering edifices, rarely encounters tremors of this magnitude. The earthquake acted as a wake-up call for the city, thrusting the stark reality of seismic risks into the spotlight. Real estate consultant Owen Zhu, speaking candidly, noted the substantial impact on the housing market. Residents began questioning the safety of high-rise living, expressing an increasing preference for the ground-level security of low-rise structures.

In the days that followed, a wave of anxiety washed over citizens, spurring a flurry of inquiries from those eager to relocate to perceived safer abodes. The divide between perceptions of safety became evident, with property owners and renters often locked in disputes. The landlords insisted on the stability of their properties, while tenants like Yigit Buyukergun remained unconvinced. Yigit, originally from Turkey, and his wife lived on the 22nd floor amidst a concerning landscape of fractures in their apartment’s corridor. “They say it’s 100 percent safe, but doubt lingers,” Yigit mused, echoing a sentiment shared by many.

The quake is believed to have nudged Bangkok’s builders and regulators toward stricter scrutiny, especially after the tragic collapse of a 30-storey building left numerous workers unaccounted for. The city’s authorities are now investigating the potential use of substandard materials in its construction, adding fuel to the push for better building practices.

Zhu pointed out that more clients are now leaning towards low-rise options, and those still interested in towering residences often demand properties with minimal seismic damage. He foresees a gradual increase in property prices, driven by heightened demand for safer buildings equipped with sophisticated seismic resistance measures. “The bar for Thailand’s real estate has indeed been raised,” he affirmed.

However, for Yigit, the promise of improved building codes offers little solace. Having grown up in Turkey, where earthquakes are a familiar threat, the experience in Bangkok was unsettling. He had never anticipated feeling the tremor of an earthquake in Thailand—a land he had once considered a haven from such geological disturbances. “I thought Thailand was safe,” he reflected, his voice tinged with disbelief at the recent turn of events.

As Bangkokians navigate this new reality, they are left pondering the cost of living amongst the clouds. The earthquake not only fractured the ground beneath their feet but also their confidence in the very foundations of their homes.