Under the luminescent lights of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Communication Arts, a panel of distinguished experts took center stage at the Bangkok Post Knowledge Forum 2025, unfolding a riveting dialogue entitled ‘After the Quake: From Lessons to Prevention.’ As a city teetering on the delicate brink of seismic activity due to dormant geological threats, Bangkok is no stranger to tectonic tensions. It’s here that the forum brilliantly shone light on the sinister dance beneath the earth’s surface and the lessons gleaned from recent tremors in nearby Myanmar.
The esteemed panel, orchestrated by the deft guidance of Bangkok Post News Editor, Anucha Charoenpo, featured Prof Dr Pennung Warnitchai, a savvy mind from the Asian Institute of Technology, Prof Dr Amorn Pimanmas, torchbearer for the Thai Structural Engineers Association, Assoc Prof Alongkorn Parivudhiphongs, curator of wisdom from Chulalongkorn University, and the forward-thinking Poomipak Julmanichoti of Sansiri Plc. Together, they navigated the murky waters of seismic predictions with a level of gravitas and humor befitting familial storytellers on a cozy evening.
The dialogue danced around dormant giants lying in wait: the Kanchanaburi Fault, the Sagaing Fault, and the Arakan Subduction Zone—each bearing potential for monumental disruption. “Imagine colossal waves of energy,” mused Prof Dr Warnitchai, gesticulating animatedly, “converging upon Bangkok with the force of ancient thunderclaps.”
Exhilarating yet anxiety-inducing, the prospects laid bare were not simply scientific jargon—they were sagas of an earth willing to unkindly remind its inhabitants of both its majesty and might. The potential for a magnitude 8.5 to 9.0 tectonic upset in the Andaman Sea was enough to send chills down even the most stoic spines at this forum.
Yet, the headlining quake that rattled the region on March 28, induced by the Sagaing Fault, served not merely as a grim reminder but a necessary wake-up call. Seismic conversations reverberated through the ears of many, particularly the engineering elite who stressed the possible amplification of distant low-frequency tremors through Bangkok’s more compliant soil basin. Prof Dr Amorn, with a hint of an encouraging smirk, assured that most edifices within the nation’s bustling urban cacophony were built like indomitable fortresses, engineered to resonate resilience rather than ruin.
Amidst these talks of terrestrial perturbation, emerged Poomipak Julmanichoti’s reassurance that Sansiri Plc stood ready, with structures tested against the recent wrath of tremors. “Our buildings stand as unyielding bastions of safety and sustainability,” he chimed, conjuring images of architectural armorer protecting both inhabitants and their peace of mind.
Juxtaposed with these technical tidbits, the forum highlighted the poignant need for refined public communication during calamities. Assoc Prof Alongkorn’s remarks on the digital deluge of misinformation struck a chord, echoing the imperative for a resilient communication strategy designed to combat chaos not with fists, but with facts.
“We’re architects of not just structures but of societies prepared for tomorrow’s unknowns,” declared Assoc Prof Alongkorn with conviction, infusing the audience with a resolve to tackle algorithmic deception and social media frenzies with inexhaustible vigor.
As the forum drew its curtains, it left in its wake a mosaic of insights and strategies—an intricate tapestry of human resolve intertwined with structural ingenuity, reminding the bustling heart of Bangkok that while Mother Earth dances on her floor of plates, its inhabitants must waltz with a balance of preparedness and perspicacity.
Seismic safety should be one of our top priorities! It’s shocking just how unprepared we are for these potential disasters.
I agree to an extent, but I also think resources should be invested in immediate concerns like pollution and poverty.
True, but if a massive quake hits, those issues will only be compounded. Preparedness shouldn’t be sidelined!
Sophia’s right. Prioritizing is key. We can’t divert all resources to earthquakes, which might not even happen soon.
What struck me was the emphasis on misinformation. It’s wild how social media can go from helpful to harmful in seconds.
Yes, that’s a huge issue! People need reliable sources, not fear-mongering tweets.
Exactly. Education on discerning credible information could help mitigate panic in such situations.
I find it fascinating how the earth’s movements can be so destructive yet so essential for our planet’s geological cycle.
I agree, nature’s power is incredible. However, it seems almost arrogant to think we can fully prepare for such forces.
True, but we can certainly minimize the impact on human lives with the right engineering and planning.
Learning about these fault lines is scary! I wish we were taught more about this in school.
Knowledge is power, young one. They really should include more practical science in education these days.
It’s reassuring to hear that buildings are being built to withstand quakes. Gives me a lot more confidence living in the city.
Definitely! The design phase now heavily considers seismic activity and that’s a real game changer.
Good to know we’re moving in the right direction. Let’s hope all developers follow this standard.
Focus on preparedness is good, but I wonder how much of this talk translates into genuine policy change.
Let’s not forget that the environmental impact of building new structures also needs to be considered.
As a parent, this forum only highlighted my concerns. Kids need to have drills and knowledge on what to do.
Absolutely. Schools should integrate earthquake safety into their routine drills.
We include some of this in our curriculum, but more support and resources would be beneficial!
These forums are great, but will opinions translate into action? I’m skeptical but hopeful.
It’s worrying to hear about these huge predictions like a possible 9.0. Could the city honestly handle it?
We have to believe in progress, Carol. Look at places like Japan; they manage quite well with their preparedness policies.
The Sagaing Fault quake was a real eye-opener last year. I think it’s crucial information is given to all citizens effectively.
The psychological aspect during a quake is often underestimated. Panic can cause just as much harm as the earthquake itself.
Such discussions, in historic hindsight, remind us that learning from past events is crucial. Will future generations heed the lessons given?
Digital misinformation during such crises needs more crackdown, maybe even regulation?
Regulation sounds good, but that’s a slippery slope into censorship. We need to be careful with this.
Imagine a world where tech actually helps us predict quakes accurately. Won’t that be a marvel?