Krabi –
Authorities have confirmed that a large sinkhole that emerged in Khao Phanom District, Krabi, is a natural occurrence and is unrelated to the recent minor earthquake that struck the region earlier this month.
Our previous story:
Update:
On April 20th, local officials, geologists, and disaster prevention representatives inspected a sinkhole that appeared in a palm plantation in Ban Phoncharoen in the Khao Phanom District. The sinkhole measured approximately 20 meters wide and 10 meters deep, with visible cracks extending up to 20 meters from its center. The site, located about 100 meters from residential areas, continues to show signs of further collapse.
Initial assessments indicate that the phenomenon resulted from underground water erosion, which removed sediment and created cavities beneath the surface. Over time, the weakened ground gave way, forming the sinkhole.
Senior geologist Thanit Srisomsak, from the Department of Mineral Resources, explained that the sinkhole is unlikely to be connected to the magnitude 3.5 earthquake recorded on April 14 in Nuea Khlong District, Krabi. “The earthquake’s direct impact radius is about 10 kilometers, while this sinkhole is located approximately 25 kilometers from the epicenter. There is no geological evidence linking the two events,” he stated.
Authorities have estimated that the ground may stabilize within a month, although minor collapses could persist for up to a year. Possible mitigation measures include using the sinkhole for agricultural water storage or filling it with crushed stone to restore the terrain. Meanwhile, further geological surveys will assess any additional underground voids in the area.
