Dr.Sopon Pornchokchai, President, Agency for Real Estate Affairs which is the largest real estate information and valuation centre in Thailand with impartial opinion would like to confirm that Thai buildings remain strong even in earthquakes
 

On April 4, 2025, the Earthquake Damage Inspection Center (EIC), Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, inspected buildings that were reported damaged in the public buildings and assembly buildings group, such as hospitals, schools, and government buildings in Bangkok from March 28 - April 3, 2025. It was found that:

1. Nationwide, a total of 5,555 buildings can be used normally. Green: 5,203 buildings; whereas, moderately damaged, but can be used. Yellow: 304 buildings and the structures are severely damaged, and the building has been ordered to be suspended. Red: 48 buildings (0.86%)

2. In provincial cities, 5,057 buildings can be used normally (green), 4,749 buildings have moderate damage, but can be used (yellow), 262 buildings.  Those with severe structural damage and have been ordered to suspend use (red) are 46 buildings (0.91%).

3. In Bangkok, 498 buildings can be used normally (green), 454 buildings have moderate damage, can be used (yellow) 42 buildings.  Those have severe damage and have been ordered to suspend use (red) are only 2 buildings (0.4%).

The earthquake did not cause any deaths, except for the Office of the Auditor General’s building complex, which may have been due to corruption in the government sector.  This needs to be investigated further. It has nothing to do with building construction standards.

The fact that there were no fatalities from the earthquake shows the world-class standard of tall building construction in Thailand although Thailand has little experience in earthquakes. This should build confidence among Thais and foreigners in the quality of tall buildings in Thailand. Thai condominiums are taken care of by a condominium juristic body who is responsible for managing common properties and collecting fees from co-owners to cover the cost of building maintenance.

Condominiums in Thailand have insurance to protect all condominium buildings, especially condominium projects opened during 2007 to 2025 in Bangkok, which have been launched for almost 20 years, approximately 5,994 projects, with a total damage coverage of more than 3.8 trillion Baht (USD 111.765 billion). In one year, condominiums pay insurance premiums of more than 2.200 billion Baht (USD 64.71 million) in the current year. Some of this also includes compensation for damages from earthquakes that occur within each condominium unit.

Homebuyers may still be afraid to live in condominiums after an earthquake, but it is only temporary. The cost of repairing a unit is 10-15% of its value (if any). But if it is sold at a discounted price of 50%, the seller will lose more than the earthquake damages.  However, in turn, it may be an opportunity for those who can buy a condominium unit at a discounted price.