Phuket –
Phuket residents reported feeling tremors on Saturday evening following a powerful earthquake in northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
According to the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM), the quake struck near Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra, at 5:54 p.m. local time on August 15, 2026. The earthquake measured magnitude 6.8 and occurred at a depth of 168 kilometers, with its epicenter located at 2.98°N, 99.06°E.
Although the epicenter was far from Thailand, the tremors were perceptible in several areas of Phuket, particularly in high-rise buildings. Reports came from Phuket Town, including Saphan Hin Park, the Naka area, Central Phuket shopping mall, and Koh Sirey, as well as Kathu District, where residents of condominiums felt the shaking. In Thalang, passengers and staff at Phuket International Airport noticed mild vibrations, though some people did not feel them at all.
Authorities confirmed that there were no injuries, fatalities, or structural damage. The DDPM has coordinated with local administrations and relevant agencies to conduct safety inspections of tall buildings and continues to monitor seismic activity closely in cooperation with the Meteorological Department. Officials added that surveillance will remain in place around the clock to ensure public safety.
