Bangkok: The Department of Public Works has established a dedicated center to handle reports and inspections of buildings damaged by the recent earthquake. Operating round-the-clock, hotlines are available at 02-299-4191 and 02-299-4312 for consultations.
According to Thai News Agency, the initiative comes in response to directives from Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul. The Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning has been tasked with urgently assessing buildings affected by the earthquake, which struck on March 28, 2025. The department's center is located on Rama VI Road and works in collaboration with the Council of Engineers, the Building Inspectors Association, and private volunteer engineers in Bangkok. The focus is primarily on public buildings and gathering places such as schools and hospitals. If any building is deemed unsafe, it will be recommended for suspension and necessary improvements before reopening.
On the day of the earthquake, inspections commenced on nine buildings from three agencies: Rajavithi Hospital, Phramongkutklao Hospital, and Lerdsin Hospital. A meeting scheduled for March 29, 2025, will discuss joint inspection guidelines for additional buildings, including government and educational facilities, to ensure comprehensive assessments.
The department has advised owners of high-rise buildings, hotels, and commercial establishments to engage registered building inspectors, numbering over 2,600, for safety evaluations. The department has also made available a manual for preliminary damage surveys of building structures post-earthquake. Provincial offices have been tasked with setting up local notification centers to coordinate inspections with volunteer engineers and local administrative bodies.
The public and building owners are encouraged to use the 24-hour hotlines for incident reporting and consultations. The department, in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, will utilize the Traffy Fondue application to analyze reports and ensure thorough inspections for residents in Bangkok.