Dams safe from quake threat, says geologist

Adichart Surinkham, geologist attached to the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, was summoned before the House committee on state security to provide information over growing concern the active fault under the Sri Nagarindra Dam might finally bring it down.

"Since the dam was constructed, only minor earthquakes have taken place. The latest measured just 3.7 on the Richter scale and had no impact on the dam at all," the geologist said.

He believed the number of small earthquakes was good because they would reduce the risk of severe quakes.

Of all 13 faults in Thailand, Adichart said the most dangerous one was in Chiang Rai.

"No one can say exactly when an earthquake will erupt, but the fault there can instigate an earthquake with magnitude of up to 5 or 6 on the Richter scale," he added.