Another Myanmar earthquake of at least 7.0 magnitude is possible and it may affect Bangkok and northern Thailand in the absence of an aftershock in the neighbouring country after Wednesday's 6.8-magnitude quake, a senior geologist warned.
Officials of the Department of Mineral Resources are on alert for an aftershock. Without it, another strong quake of at least 7.0 magnitude is possible, Suwit Khosuwan, active fault director of the department, said on Thursday.
Such a temblor could have direct impacts on Thailand, especially high-rises in Bangkok and many northern provinces like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Tak, he said.
Officials of the department are closely monitoring the Arakan fault that caused Wednesday's earthquake and they would stop only if there is an aftershock which could be of 5.1-6.0 magnitude, he said.
There had been three foreshocks before the powerful quake at 5.34pm on Wednesday and it was strange there had not been an aftershock, Mr Suwit said.
Mineral resources director Montree Lueang-ingtasut said officials were watching seismic situations in the North. "There could be sinkholes or cave collapses in sensitive areas including limestone mountains and caves in Kanchanaburi province if the Three Pagodas and Sri Sawat faults were affected by a Myanmar quake."