Minor quake felt in Surat Thani

A monk at Wat Phra Boromthat Chaiya Ratchavoraviharn, a well-known temple in tambon Wiang, Surat Thani province, says the tremor was not noticed after a mild earthquake was reported in the area on Saturday. (Photo by Supapong Chaolan)

SURAT THANI: A magnitude 2.3 earthquake was felt in Chaiya district of this southern province on Sunday morning. No damage was reported.

Chamnong Sawatwong, chief of the disaster prevention and mitigation office of Surat Thani, said according to a report from the seismology office of the Thai Meteorological Department, the quake occurred at 8.28am with the epicentre in Chaiya district.

He said the people in tambon Thung in Chaiya district felt a slight shake but no damage was caused. The tremor was not even noticed at Wat Phra Boromthat Chaiya Ratchavoraviharn, a well-known temple in tambon Wiang.

Mr Chamnong said he checked with staff at the Ratchaprapha Dam in Ban Takhun district and learned that the quake detection machine at the dam did not record any movement. The dam is still solid and strong, he added.

In any case, Wichawut Jinto, the governor, has ordered all local administrations to examine if any damage has been caused by the quake in their areas of responsibility.