HIGHLIGHTS

• Swift, Multi-Dimensional Earthquake Response: Following the March 28, 2025 earthquake, Thammasat University promptly mobilised emergency shelters, conducted structural safety inspections across all campuses, and ensured physical and emotional support for affected students and staff.
• Flexible Learning Continuity: To minimise academic disruption, the university implemented hybrid and online teaching (March 31–April 18), with flexible attendance policies for students whose residences were affected.
• Financial and Technological Aid for Affected Students: A Disaster Relief Fund of 5,000 Baht per eligible student was established, alongside the launch of InSpectra-o1, an AI-powered app for preliminary building damage assessment, developed by the Faculty of Engineering.
• Knowledge Sharing and Mental Health Support: Thammasat actively promoted community resilience through public seminars, legal Q&A sessions, and psychological counseling via the Thammasat Well-being Center, demonstrating its role as a university for society.

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Following the earthquake on March 28, 2025, Thammasat University acknowledged the impact and concerns of both the Thammasat community and society at large. As an institution dedicated to the public, the University swiftly mobilised its resources and expertise to provide a comprehensive and urgent response. This encompassed immediate safety protocols, building assessments, adjustments to teaching methods, student support, technological applications, public knowledge sharing, and mental health care.

Provision of Temporary Shelter

To assist students and staff who were unable to return to their residences safely immediately after the March 28, 2025 event, the Student Affairs Division and the Office of Asset and Sport Management promptly arranged temporary shelters within Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus:

• Gymnasium 5: This was designated as the primary shelter for those needing to stay overnight due to its robust structure and large capacity. Cleaning was carried out, and security personnel were reinforced. While some bedding was provided, due to the sudden nature of the situation, it might not have been sufficient for high demand, so individuals were permitted to bring their own bedding.
• Student Activity Buildings: The ground floors of both buildings were opened 24 hours a day (extended from the usual 11:00 PM closing time) to serve as additional temporary resting areas.

The University intends to keep these shelters open until the situation returns to normal, ensuring the initial safety and security of the Thammasat community.

Urgent Building Safety Assessment

The University promptly initiated a safety inspection of building structures across all campuses (Tha Prachan, Rangsit, Lampang, and Pattaya). This involved mobilising internal experts and potentially external collaborators. Preliminary assessment results as of March 30, 2025, indicated that most buildings remain structurally sound and safe. However, some areas required temporary closure for further in-depth inspection by engineering and architectural specialists. This measure aims to ensure the highest level of safety for all students, staff, and visitors.

Seamless Adjustments to Teaching and Learning

The University recognised that the earthquake might affect student residences, making it difficult for some to attend classes as usual. To facilitate and support continued education even if students had to return to their hometowns or other accommodations, the University issued guidelines for teaching and learning for the period between March 31 and April 18, 2025:

• Tha Prachan, Rangsit, Lampang Campuses: Departments responsible for teaching will primarily adopt hybrid or online learning models. However, if absolutely necessary, such as for clinical or laboratory practical courses, or if a survey confirms that students’ residences for a specific course were unaffected, the head of the department may consider onsite teaching.
• Pattaya Campus: Teaching will proceed as usual (onsite), but the head of the department may consider adjusting to hybrid or online as appropriate.
• Class Attendance: For onsite classes, students unable to attend due to residence damage caused by the earthquake will not be marked absent. This adjustment aims to alleviate the burden on affected students and ensure the most continuous learning possible.

Student Aid Measures

The University promptly introduced urgent financial aid through the “Disaster Relief (Earthquake) Fund B.E. 2568” providing 5,000 Baht per eligible student. This fund is for current students who meet criteria such as uninhabitable homes or a deceased/seriously injured guardian. Students can contact the Student Affairs Division directly to apply for the fund, which was announced on March 30, 2025, and took immediate effect.

Disaster Response Innovation: “InSpectra-o1” Application

Thammasat unveiled “InSpectra-o1,” a prototype application developed by the Structural Inspection and Monitoring Research Centre, Faculty of Engineering (led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prompatana Thanyasirichai). This application utilises Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyse building photographs (including drone images) for preliminary damage assessment, particularly cracks. Designed for ease of use, it allows general public, students, and staff to photograph their own residences for immediate initial analysis. While still in its experimental phase and the AI can currently assess around 50-60%, with engineer verification still essential, the app’s introduction reflects Thammasat University’s potential to apply self-developed innovations to effectively address urgent post-disaster needs. It helps rapidly gather preliminary data, reduces time and costs, and could potentially be used as evidence for insurance claims.

Sharing Knowledge with Society for Informed Preparedness

Thammasat believes in fostering a disaster-resilient society and has therefore promptly undertaken knowledge dissemination and opened communication channels to the public, including:

• Academic Seminar “Earthquake Response Handbook: Citizen’s Edition” (announced for April 4, 2025): This event gathers experts from diverse fields at Thammasat University, including engineering, medicine and public health, and journalism and mass communication. They will provide comprehensive knowledge covering building safety assessment (with a demonstration of InSpectra-o1), practical guidelines, mental health care, and media literacy during a crisis.
• The Centre for Legal Studies, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, in collaboration with the Foundation for Consumers, organised a Facebook Live event titled “Let’s Talk: Those Affected by…The Earthquake. Leave Your Questions Here.” This provided an opportunity for affected individuals to directly ask questions and express concerns, serving as another channel for showing care and providing information to the public.

Mental Healthcare in Times of Crisis

Thammasat University deeply understands that the earthquake may have impacted the mental well-being of students and staff. Therefore, it is fully prepared to provide comprehensive mental health support. All Thammasat personnel can seek consultations from the university’s psychologists at the Thammasat Well-being Center: TU Counseling.

Thammasat University has implemented all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the Thammasat community, provided relief, and built a society prepared for all disasters and changes.