NORTHERN Chiang Mai city suffered damage from Friday’s massive earthquake centred at Mandalay, Myanmar, in 23 of its 25 districts but fortunately there were no deaths or injuries, Amarin TV said this evening (April 1).
Mr. Dusit Phongsapipat, chief of Chiang Mai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, said inspection of 1,177 bridges and 15 underpasses found that they were unaffected,
Of the 39 important buildings in this city, 25 remained stable and strong thus functioning normally.
Three buildings suffered some damage, such as cracked walls and pillars as well as peeling plaster, with these being Chiang Mai Juvenile and Family Court and two well-known condominiums.
An inspection showed that the structure of the two condominiums was not affected and people could continue living in them. Even so, the management refused to let them do so until repairs were completed to ensure safety.
However three other buildings did suffer structural damage with one being a school and the other two condominiums but they have not collapsed while eight other buildings are still being inspected.
Regarding Chiang Mai’s ancient Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara temple, it was found that it had developed cracks and suffered other damage on the northern side. Some brick pieces had come off and fallen from the ancient chedi, which is 640 years old and is the symbol of this temple soaring 80 metres high. This chedi had previously collapsed during a major earthquake in 1545 A.D.
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Some quake-damaged buildings in Chiang Mai. Photos: Amarin TV
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