BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s Earthquake Surveillance Division of the Meteorological Department reported a minor earthquake measuring 2.9 on the Richter scale at 9:12 a.m. on Wednesday (Feb 11) in Khao Phang Subdistrict, Ban Ta Khun District, Surat Thani province.
The epicenter was recorded at latitude 9.044 degrees north and longitude 98.738 degrees east. Academics confirmed the tremor was very small and posed no disaster risk.
Professor Dr. Santi Phailublai of the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, said the earthquake originated along the Khlong Marui Fault, which runs in a northeast–southwest direction through Surat Thani and extends into Krabi, Phang Nga, and the eastern part of Phuket. The fault is classified as an active fault.
However, Dr. Santi stressed that a magnitude 2.9 earthquake is extremely small in geological terms and does not qualify as a hazardous event. It is not an early warning sign of a larger earthquake in the near future, and residents in the area do not need to be alarmed.
Experts added that small tremors can occur periodically along active fault lines and typically do not affect buildings, infrastructure, or public utilities.
The public is advised to follow official updates from the Earthquake Surveillance Division of the Meteorological Department. (TNA)
