Thread: Minor earthquake shakes Samui Island on Saturday

A 2.2 magnitude earthquake shook Samui Island this morning, but did not cause any property damage or injuries on the resort island.


According to the Earthquake Observation Division of the Meteorological Department, the tremor occurred at 8.13am at a depth of about two kilometres in Bo Phut sub-district.


It was felt in several parts of the island, with some people reporting that the roofs of their houses shook slightly, while others said that they heard a rumbling sound.


The Mineral Resources Department, meanwhile, described the earthquake as a micro tremor, which was caused by the movement of cracks in the granite layer.


The Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command had instructed provincial authorities to explain the cause of the quake to people on the island and to advise them as to what they should do to protect themselves in such a situation.


The earthquake this morning was the second in three days. The first, which had a 2.4 magnitude, occurred on Thursday at a depth of about four kilometres in Ang Thong sub-district.

Minor earthquake shakes Samui Island on Saturday - Thai PBS World

Officials Assure Koh Samui's Safety After Minor Quakes

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan has reassured Koh Samui residents that the island remains safe, despite experiencing three minor earthquakes recently.


To address public concerns and provide reassurance, Pol Gen Patcharawat has directed the Mineral Resources Department to install a seismometer on the island to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. The first of these quakes, a 2.4-magnitude tremor, struck on Thursday (June 30), followed by two additional quakes on Saturday, measuring 2.4 and 2.2 in magnitude, respectively. These events were centered in the sea near Bo Phut subdistrict, attributed to a shifting fault line.


Pichit Sombatmak, director general of the Mineral Resources Department, and Dr. Virachart Wiwekwin, director of the active faults unit of the Seismology Division, both confirmed that the quakes were minor and resulted in no structural damage or aftershocks. They also affirmed that Koh Samui is geologically stable and unlikely to experience significant seismic activity.


Mineral Resources Department officials will visit Koh Samui later this week to survey potential installation sites. The initial survey will be followed by a series of discussions among related units to finalize the plan.

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