Existing earthquake protection requirements in the Building Control Act are of a high standard and sufficient to ensure building safety, say highrise building developers.

Though Thailand, Bangkok in particular, is not at high risk from earth quakes, shaking in some tall buildings in Bangkok and Chiang Mai on Thursday night stirred concern among people about highrise living.

Opas Sripayak, managing director of the condominium market leader L.P.N. Development Plc, agreed the Thursday night event would cause a short-term panic but it was not the first time an earthquake had been felt in Thailand.

''We believe it will not have an impact on condo buyers in the long run,'' he said.

People should not be worried about condominium living as all highrise buildings were constructed in compliance with the laws, he said. ''In the Building Control Act, there are regulations related to highrise construction to cover earthquake impact.''

Pumipat Sinacharoen, deputy chief financial officer of Asian Property Deve lopment Plc, said the regulations on highrise construction were of a high standard and covered protection from earthquakes and even wind.

Pace Development Co Ltd is currently developing what will become the tallest building in the country, the MahaNakhon luxury condominium in Bangkok. Sorapoj Techakraisri, its CEO, said highrises were safer than lowrise buildings because they are more resistant to the up-and-down shaking of an earthquake.

''Our construction will use technology that exceeds the requirements, and the technology of construction and materials is now more advanced than before,'' he said.

He agreed that people might panic after an earthquake but said the public should be educated about the safety of highrise buildings.