SURAT THANI, 17 January 2014 Authorities have confirmed that the January 16 earthquake in Surat Thani province caused no damages on the Ratchaprapa Dam, claiming that the structure has the capacity to withstand a much larger quake.
On January 16 at 12.18 pm, an earthquake measured at 4.0 on the Richter scale struck Ban Ta Khun district of the southern province of Surat Thani, with the epicenter located 19 kilometers to the northwest of the Ratchaprapa Dam.
In the wake of the incident, officials from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand’s Ratchaprapa Hydro Power Plant inspected the facility and confirmed that it was still in good condition with no damages. Assistant Director of the Ratchaprapa Dam Suchon Tantipisit revealed that, during the tremor, the peak ground acceleration was measured at only 0.0049, whereas the dam was capable of handling up to 0.1, an equivalent to a quake with a magnitude of 9-10.
The assistant director assured the public that the dam is equipped with a maintenance team and is constantly under inspection. He thus urged all to have confidence in the dam’s integrity.
