Bangkok governor lifts disaster status after quake chaos eases
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has officially called off the city’s disaster zone status following last Friday’s quake scare, declaring the situation “back to normal” just days after panic swept through the capital.
Yesterday, March 31, the 58 year old city chief signed an order cancelling the March 28 declaration by the Bangkok Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Centre, which had marked several parts of the city as disaster-affected areas after tremors from a Myanmar earthquake rattled the region.
The move comes as officials report steady recovery across the capital, with public services back on track and no new reports of major damage or disruption.
According to the updated statement, the overall situation in Bangkok has “improved significantly.” Officials noted that damage to key infrastructure, including transport routes and public utilities, has been addressed, and most citizens have resumed their daily routines.
“The district offices’ incident command centres are now capable of handling ongoing recovery and safety measures in their respective areas,” the announcement said.
The decision to revoke the emergency status was made under the authority granted by Section 32 of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act 2007, along with the national and Bangkok-specific disaster plans for 2021 to 2027.
While the announcement may come as a relief to some, others are questioning whether it’s too soon to lower the city’s guard. Concerns remain about aftershocks and whether Bangkok’s infrastructure can withstand future seismic threats, especially in light of last week’s building collapse in Chatuchak, which claimed multiple lives.
Still, the move is a sign that the capital is attempting to return to normalcy following a tense few days of emergency alerts, evacuations, and uncertainty.
Governor Chadchart has remained visible throughout the ordeal, visiting affected areas and coordinating with emergency teams, a move that’s been welcomed by residents and praised on social media.
With the disaster declaration lifted, the focus now shifts to long-term preparedness and whether the city is equipped for future tremors, reported Thai PBS.
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