Condos 'safe from big quakes'
Property developers have assured owners and prospective buyers of units in high-rise condominiums that the buildings are perfectly safe and can deal with strong earthquakes.
Thai Condominium Association president Atip Bijanonda said most condominium projects in Bangkok were strong enough to cope with quakes as high as nine on the Richter scale.Construction standards were controlled by the Engineering Institute of Thailand, which insisted that all condominiums were reinforced to handle even the strongest quakes. He said high-rise buildings in Bangkok were also scrutinised by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). However, shophouses could be in danger. "I think the BMA should pay more attention to shop houses as they have high potential to be damaged by an earthquake," Atip said. Metrostar Property Plc managing director Ratanachai Phatinavin, said some of its condominium customers called his office after the quake to ask about the safety issue. "We simply told them not to worry. It's safe." Asian Property Development Plc managing director Pichet Vipavasuphakorn said staff were ready to explain safety aspects in detail. Somluck Srimalee The Nation
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