AYUTTHAYA HISTORICAL RESEARCH



EARTHQUAKES AND AYUTTHAYA





The earthquake in Myanmar on 28 March 2025 CE and the tremors felt in some locations in Thailand are still fresh in the mind it is an opportunity to evaluate the impact on Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya is located within the Chao Phraya River basin, which is characterised by deep alluvial deposits. These soft sediments amplify seismic waves and increase ground shaking intensity during an earthquake, even if the epicenter is far from the area.

Several fault lines crisscross Thailand (1), but not all pose a significant threat to Ayutthaya, which is not located on a major fault line. Ayutthaya has not experienced significant direct damage from earthquakes in recent history.


Seismic Activity in History


The Phongsawadan or the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya mention several quakes during the Ayutthaya era (1351-1767 CE). Ayutthaya is home to many historic structures vulnerable to even moderate tremors.


Charnvit Kasetsiri wrote in his work "The Rise of Ayudhya" that the Luang Prasoet Chronicle of Ayutthaya was probably the oldest in the Thai language ever discovered. It was written in 1680 CE by order of King Narai. The text is an abridged chronicle dealing with events in Ayutthaya between 1324 and 1604 CE. It was discovered in 1907 CE by Luang Prasoet and so has come to bear his name. The chronicle has become the authoritative work on the history of Ayutthaya, replacing the Chabap Phra Phonrat. [1]


For the most part, all earthquake incidents below are based on the Luang Prasoet version, which is widely regarded as the most reliable source of historical data. Most Ayutthaya Chronicles, except for the Luang Prasoet version, mention an earthquake in 1505 CE in the reign of Ramathibodi II (1491-1529 CE).


"In 867, a year of the ox, seventh of the decade, the yearly flood waters were low and much of the rice withered away. Furthermore, the earth quaked and all kinds of portents appeared." [2]


The Luang Prasoet chronicle indicates an earthquake in 1525 CE.


"In 887, a year of the cock, the yearly flood waters were low and the rice was a total loss. Furthermore, the earth quaked in every city and all kinds of portents appeared." [2]


The Phan Canthanumat, the British Museum, the Reverend Phonnarat, the Phra Cakkraphatdiphong and the Royal Autograph versions of the Royal Chronicles mention an earthquake in 1527 CE.


“In 889, a year of the boar, ninth of the decade, King Chairacha, coming down with a sudden illness, passed away on the journey back to Ayutthaya. The chief ministers escorted the King’s corpse into Ayutthaya. King Chairacha occupied the highest position in the kingdom for fourteen years and left two sons. […] In that year the earth quaked.” [3]





(Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai, of which the 86 m high chedi was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545 CE – Picture taken November 2012 CE)



There was a tremor in 1546 CE at the end of the reign of King Chairacha (1534-1547 CE).


“In 908, a year of the horse, in the sixth month, King Chairacha passed away and Prince Yòt Fa, his son, ascended the royal throne of Ayutthaya. In that year the earth quaked.” [3]


An earthquake occurred in 1584 CE in the reign of King Maha Thammaracha (1569-1590 CE), but it is unclear if Ayutthaya was affected. Other versions of the Phongsawadan mention the year 1574 CE.


“In 946, a year of the monkey, King Narai, who had ascended the royal throne of the City of Phitsanulok, learned through report that the King of Hongsa and the King of Ava had their differences. On that occasion the King went to assist the King of Hongsa in the fighting. During Thursday, the third day of the waning moon in the fifth month, Sawat Mongkhon and Kaeo Cakkrarattana, principal male elephants, fought each other and the right tusk of Sawat Mongkhon was loosened. The astrologers read the omen as forbidding travel, but a royal edict stated that everything had already been arranged and so the King marched off with his troops in formation. On Wednesday, the ninth day of the waning moon in the fifth month, the King went out to establish an encampment in Yom Monastery Township on the outskirts of the City of Kamphængphet. On that day the earth quaked.” [4]


In the reign of King Maha Thammaracha (1569-1590 CE), there were earthquakes in 1588 and 1589 CE.


“In 950, a year of the rat, on Monday, the eighth day of the waning moon in the twelfth month, the earth quaked."


“In 951, a year of the ox, rice was expensive at ten tamlüng per cartload stamped with the Double Seal of Lord Narai. On Friday, the seventh day of the waning moon in the second month the earth quaked." [5]


In 1685 CE, a tremor was mentioned in the Phongsawadan versions of the British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat and the Royal Autograph. Based on the Phan Canthanumat version, the earthquake occurred in 1689 CE.


“In 1047 of the Royal Era, a year of the ox, seventh of the decade, the Supreme Holy Primary Queen of the Right Side, the Department of the Third Rank Yotha Thip, at that time having carried Her holy pregnancy to the full term of ten months, gave birth to a holy royal son endowed with a glorious figure in fine form. The various [members of] the holy royal lineage bestowed on Him a holy name, calling Him Lord Holy Guardian Spirit. Now, during the night of that day He was born, the earth quaked miraculously.” [6]


“Now in the tenth month of the year of the serpent, ninth of the decade, during the early morning, Princess of the Third Rank Yotha Thep gave holy birth to a holy royal son bearing the name of Little Speech. During the middle of the night of that [same] day, the earth quaked.” [7]





(Wat Rong Khun, known as The White Temple, was a major victim of a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Chiang Rai on 5 May 2014. Two spires collapsed and a large crack split a mural on the wall of the main building- Picture taken November 2003 CE)



The Buddhist cosmology


Henry Alabaster (1836-1884 CE), a British-born diplomat who became an advisor to King Chulalongkorn, cited shortly the Anon in his book "The Wheel of Law" as the huge fish in the waters beneath the earth, whose movements, shaking the world, give rise to earthquakes. [8]


In Buddhist cosmology, the "Anon" is a mythical creature, often depicted as a massive fish, that supposedly supports the world below the Earth. The Anon are vast and beyond ordinary comprehension, symbolic of the forces of nature that operate on a cosmic scale. Their movements in the great ocean disturb the foundations of the world system. Since the Earth is believed to rest upon layers of water and wind, the agitation caused by the Anon reverberates upward, manifesting as earthquakes on the surface. The Anon and their earthquake-causing actions are not merely literal, but also carry symbolic meaning, representing the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of samsaric existence—the world of suffering and impermanence. In some traditions, this fish was initially responsible for holding the world up before the pillar of Himavanta was established. The concept of a fish supporting the earth is a common motif in many cosmologies, including those outside Buddhism.


Also in Japanese Folklore, the oarfish, also known as "Ryugu no tsukai" (messenger from the sea god's palace), is a subject of a long-standing Japanese belief that its surfacing indicates a disaster is near. This belief gained prominence after Fukushima's 2011 CE earthquake and tsunami, when multiple oarfish were reportedly washed ashore. Scientific studies have shown no reliable connection between oarfish sightings and earthquakes.





(AI-generated depiction of Anon)



Fault lines


Below is an overview of the nearby fault lines with a possible impact on Ayutthaya, if they were to generate a large enough earthquake.


1. The Loei–Petchabun Fault (2) in Northeastern Thailand, at a distance of over 400 Km, has a low impact on Ayutthaya. There is a localised risk, but it is unlikely to affect the Central Plains significantly.


2. The Mae Tha Fault (3) in Northern Thailand, mainly in Lampang and Chiang Mai provinces, at around 400–500 km distance from Ayutthaya, could have a moderate impact. A strong quake could be felt in Ayutthaya, especially in soft soil areas, which can amplify shaking.


3. The Sri Sawat Fault (4) in Kanchanaburi province, at a distance of approximately 200–250 km from Ayutthaya, is of higher concern as this fault is active and capable of producing moderate to strong earthquakes. A strong quake here could potentially impact Ayutthaya.


4. The Three Pagodas Fault (5) near the Thai-Myanmar border in Kanchanaburi province, roughly 250–300 km from Ayutthaya, has the same potential as the Sri Sawat Fault. It is far enough not to cause destruction in Ayutthaya directly, but it could still produce noticeable tremors.





(Map of active faults in Thailand modified DMR-2006 – Source: Simulation of Seismic Ground Response at Bangkok Subsoil due to Si Sawat Fault – 2019 CE)



Conclusion


Ayutthaya has not been the epicenter of any significant earthquake in modern recorded history. However, the area has experienced tremors from seismic activity in other parts of Thailand and neighboring countries.


An earthquake of a magnitude 7.7 on the Richter scale on 28 March 2025 in Sagaing (Myanmar) generated tremors that reached central Thailand, causing damage in Bangkok and being felt in Ayutthaya. While some structural tilting and leaning of temple structures have been observed, these are primarily attributed to age, erosion, and historical conflicts rather than confirmed seismic activity.


Ayutthaya is home to many ancient temples and historical buildings constructed with unreinforced masonry, brick, and lime mortar—materials highly susceptible to earthquake-induced damage.


While Ayutthaya is not considered a high-risk earthquake zone, its proximity to active faults, the local geological conditions, and the structural vulnerabilities warrant moderate concern. A proactive approach to monitoring, preparedness, and structural reinforcement is recommended to safeguard the city's cultural heritage.





(Detail of the Seismic Hazard Map of Thailand by the Department of Mineral Resources - 2024 CE)



Footnotes:


(1) There are 16 active fault lines.

(2) The Loei-Phetchabun Fault Group runs north-south, flanking both sides of the Phetchabun Basin. The fault has a dip towards the basin's centre on both sides. Satellite images and aerial photos show that the fault line on the eastern side of the Phetchabun Basin is more precise and continuous than the western side. The fault exhibits normal fault movement and passes through Lom Kao, Lom Sak, and Mueang Phetchabun districts in Phetchabun Province, with a length of approximately 150 kilometres. Records of earthquakes in the area show that on 12 October 1990 CE, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.0 occurred, and its tremors were felt in Lom Sak and Lom Kao districts of Phetchabun Province.

(3) The Mae Tha Fault runs in a curved pattern, following the Mae Wong and Mae Tha rivers in Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces, stretching approximately 55 kilometres. A study by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) in 1980 CE revealed that during 6 months in 1978 CE, numerous shallow, small earthquakes occurred along this fault line.

(4) The Si Sawat Fault Group runs in a northwest-southeast direction, beginning in Myanmar and extending into Thailand through Umphang District in Tak Province, Thong Pha Phum District in Kanchanaburi Province, and Huai Kha Khaeng National Park in Ban Rai District, Uthai Thani Province. It continues through Si Sawat, Nong Prue, and Bo Phloi Districts in Kanchanaburi Province before reaching Dan Chang District in Suphan Buri Province, spanning approximately 220 kilometres. Historical seismic studies of the Si Sawat Fault reveal that an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 occurred about 5.000 years ago in Ban Pong Ri, Nong Ri Subdistrict, Bo Phloi District in Kanchanaburi Province. Additionally, a significant earthquake struck the Si Sawat Fault area on 22 April 1983 CE, with a magnitude of 5.9. The epicentre was near the Srinagarind Dam reservoir, and tremors were felt as far as Bangkok.

(5) The Three Pagodas Fault Group is located to the west of Thailand and is particularly significant for residents in Bangkok. The fault begins in Myanmar, crossing the Thailand-Myanmar border near the Three Pagodas Pass in Sangkhla Buri District, and continues through Thong Pha Phum, Si Sawat, and Mueang Kanchanaburi districts, eventually ending in Dan Makham Tia District, Kanchanaburi Province, covering a total length of about 200 kilometres. Historical fault movement data from the Tipuye area, Chalae Subdistrict, Thong Pha Phum District, indicate that an earthquake of 6.4 magnitude occurred approximately 2.000 years ago. The most recent historical earthquake from this fault happened about 1.000 years ago with a 6.4 magnitude near Kaeng Kaep in Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi Province.





(Detail of the Seismic Hazard Map of Thailand by the Department of Mineral Resources - 2024 CE)



References:


[1] Charnvit Kasetsiri (1976). The Rise of Ayudhya. Oxford University Press, London.

[2] Cushman, Richard D. & Wyatt, David K. (2006). The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya. Bangkok: The Siam Society. p. 19.

[3] Ibid. p. 21.

[4] Ibid. p. 87.

[5] Ibid. p. 121.

[6] Ibid. p. 347.

[7] Ibid. p. 324.

[8] Alabaster, Henry (1871). The Wheel of The Law. London: Trubner & Co. p. 599.


Other consulted documents:


1. Nutalaya, Prinya and Sodsri, Sopit (1983) - Earthquakes data of Thailand and adjacent areas 624 BC - 1983 AD. Geological Society of Thailand.

2. The Nation. 30 March 2025.16 active faults in Thailand pose future earthquake risks.


Websites:


Earthquake Hazards Program - U.S. Geological Survey

Earthquake Observation Division

Thailand Earthquake Report



When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.
(Alexis de Tocqueville)





HISTORY OF AYUTTHAYA



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