In a development that has drawn attention to the geological activity in the Prachuap Khiri Khan region, a minor earthquake of magnitude 3.0 was recorded on Saturday morning near Kaeng Krachan in Phetchaburi, not far from the beloved coastal town of Hua Hin.
Reported by the Thai Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation Division, the seismic event occurred at 9:13 am, approximately 54 kilometers (34 miles) from the popular tourist destination of Cha-am and a short drive from Hua Hin. This proximity has made the event a topic of discussion among locals and visitors in the area.
The earthquake was unusual due to its shallow depth of just 1 kilometer (0.6 miles), with its epicenter pinpointed at latitude 12.709°N and longitude 99.477°E, in the Tambon Pa Deng area of Kaeng Krachan. Such shallow quakes are rare and can sometimes be felt more intensely than deeper ones, though in this case, there were no immediate reports of the earthquake being felt by residents in the vicinity, including those in nearby Hua Hin.
Notably, earthquakes of this magnitude are generally not felt by humans but can be accurately recorded by seismographs. This event aligns with historical data, which suggests that the region, including areas surrounding Hua Hin, rarely experiences noticeable seismic activity. The most recent notable earthquake in the Prachuap Khiri Khan province occurred 17 years ago, in 2006.
In that year, the region experienced a stronger earthquake, a magnitude 4.3 tremor, on September 28, southeast of the current epicenter. Furthermore, the strongest recorded earthquake in the region since 1900 was a magnitude 4.5 event that happened on September 27, 2006, in the Gulf of Thailand, highlighting a period of unusual seismic activity in the area.
The Thai Meteorological Department continues to monitor the situation closely. As of now, there have been no reports of damage or injuries resulting from this minor seismic event. However, the incident serves as a reminder to residents and visitors in Hua Hin and the surrounding areas of the importance of being aware of and prepared for geological phenomena.