Residents panic over soil subsidence in Pathum Thani

After receiving complaints from the affected residents, The Nation saw that four of the townhouses were seriously damaged with walls tilting and cracked. The houses have been sealed off pending investigation. Officials from the local administrative body and soldiers were there to help residents move their belongings out of other affected houses. 

One of owners of the four severely hit houses, Supattra Thaneerat, 59, said the land underneath had suddenly started subsiding at 8pm on Monday.

“We thought it was an earthquake and ran out, only to see that many of the neighbours were already on the street. Our house has sustained lots of cracks so we don’t dare go back. We alerted the officials and went to stay with a relative,” she said, adding that they returned in the morning to find the house had worsened. She said the officials were at hand to help them move out. 

Supattra went on to say that the subsidence may have stemmed from the soil base softening, adding that many other houses in the same estate had similar problems and were part of ongoing lawsuits. 

Tambon Lam Sam Kaew Municipality Mayor Boonkrai Boonkhum said the cause of subsidence would be investigated in detail and the municipality would seek the help of provincial public works officials. He said similar subsidence had affected some 10 houses earlier, but this time the subsidence took place in a new spot. He added that other houses nearby would be monitored and officials would take action accordingly.