In this study, wave forces of tsunami on simplified onshore buildings at Penang Island were investigated. Single-storey and double-storey buildings were downscaled at a ratio of 1:100 and subjected to tsunami bores of various runup heights in a 1 m x 1 m with 40 m long wave flume. Tsunami wave height and velocity at the location of building model were obtained. The experimental results revealed that the nature of wave attack on building model depends on the relationship between model height and nominal height of the wave. The time histories of forces in the horizontal and vertical direction and pressures on buildings due to simulated tsunami-like waves were measured. The relationships among the forces and pressures for the incident wave with nominal wave height around 40 mm were discussed in detail. It is observed that the maximum horizontal force and front pressure were attained when nominal height of the wave was achieved by the flow. The experimental results provide useful information for the dynamic analysis in the later stage of the study.