Seven Sinkholes Declared Disaster Area in Khon Kaen
Seven sinkholes averaging 4–5 meters deep have prompted officials in Khon Kaen's Ban Wang Charoen village to declare it a disaster zone, with geologists attributing the collapses to ancient rock layers stressed by tectonic activity.
Officials are preparing to declare Ban Wang Charoen a disaster zone following the discovery of seven sinkholes. Geologists from the Regional Mineral Resources Office examined the sinkholes, each averaging 4–5 meters deep, and found them to be circular soil collapses with underlying cavities. According to Orouma Summat, director of the Regional Mineral Resources Office, the collapses are not expanding and can be repaired through simple infilling. The geologist explained that the sinkholes result from millions-of-years-old rock layers affected by tectonic plate collisions, which create stress cracks across the northeast region. Residents can observe warning signs such as air bubbles emerging from the ground before collapse occurs. Local farmer Ranong Khephwang, who owns more than four rai of land, reported noticing air bubbles while transplanting rice seedlings and expressed concern about potential danger. She suspects nearby stone quarries may be contributing to the problem. Provincial Governor Atchakit Ruksophanicha is preparing the disaster proclamation for Ban Wang Charoen following multiple sinkhole incidents and additional at-risk zones identified. Geologists confirmed that most sinkholes occur in limestone areas over 200 years old, with environmental factors linked to land use playing a role. Local authorities plan to submit their survey findings to the provincial government to officially declare the area a disaster zone, secure hazardous areas, and develop compensation measures for residents.
