30-5-2024 (SURAT THANI) A mild earthquake with a magnitude of 2.4 on the Richter scale struck Koh Samui at 8:24am on Thursday, according to Jirawat Kamchadphai, a meteorologist from the Earthquake Observation Division.
The earthquake’s epicentre was located in tambon Ang Thong, on the western side of the island, at a depth of four kilometres beneath Thaweerat Phakde, the island’s loop road. This marks the first time an earthquake has been detected by the division in the Gulf of Thailand.
Since 2008, Surat Thani has experienced 16 earthquakes, most of which have occurred in proximity to the Khlong Marui Fault Zone (KMFZ), a significant active strike-slip fault system in southern Thailand.
Residents reported feeling two vibrations similar to explosions, sending messages to the division’s website to describe their experiences. The Department of Mineral Resources attributed the tremor to geothermal energy activity in the area.
