On March 28, 2025, at approximately 1:20 PM local time, a powerful earthquake measuring 8.2 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar, with its epicenter located just 10 kilometers beneath the surface. The tremors were felt across Thailand, including the bustling capital of Bangkok, where panic ensued as residents experienced significant shaking.
Reports indicate that the earthquake triggered a series of aftershocks, totaling 16 in number, with the first occurring just minutes later at 1:32 PM, registering 7.1 in magnitude. Subsequent aftershocks varied in strength, with the second at 1:45 PM measuring 5.5, and the third at 2:24 PM measuring 4.0, among others.
In Bangkok, the earthquake caused a construction site near the popular Chatuchak Market to collapse, resulting in chaos as people fled the area amid clouds of dust and debris. Eyewitness accounts describe the scene as alarming, with one construction worker recalling, "I was carrying steel down from the sixth floor when the concrete started to fall. I ran for my life!"
The building that collapsed was part of a project for the Office of the Auditor General, which was under construction on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road. This project was approved for a budget of 2,560 million baht in February 2020, with the contract awarded to a joint venture that included Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited.
Emergency services quickly mobilized to the site of the collapse, where initial reports indicated that three people had died, while 68 others were injured and transported to nearby hospitals. As of the latest updates, around 43 workers were still unaccounted for, raising concerns about potential fatalities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Poomtham Wechayachai stated, "This incident has not occurred in Bangkok for over a century, and we are now worried about further aftershocks." He emphasized the urgency of the rescue operations, which involved search dogs and specialized teams to locate any trapped individuals.
Witnesses described the moments leading to the building's collapse, with one bystander noting, "At first, I felt the ground shake, but it wasn't until five minutes later that the building fell. It was a loud crash, and within a minute, it was down." Many people were evacuated from surrounding structures, with estimates suggesting that nearly 500 individuals were safely moved out of a nearby shopping complex.
As the rescue efforts continued, officials reported that the tremors disrupted traffic in various parts of Bangkok, particularly along Din Daeng expressway, where debris from the construction site obstructed roadways. The city's main airports, including Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, were assessed and found to be structurally sound, allowing operations to resume by 2:30 PM.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation issued alerts to all provinces, urging local authorities to monitor the situation closely and keep the public informed. They also advised residents to prepare for potential aftershocks, which are common following significant seismic events.
In a statement from the Prime Minister, who was in Phuket at the time, he declared Bangkok a disaster area, instructing all ministries to treat the situation as an emergency. He called for immediate alerts to be sent via various communication channels, including social media, to ensure that citizens received timely information on safety measures.
In Myanmar, the earthquake's impact was similarly severe. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed that the epicenter was located near the town of Sagaing, approximately 16 kilometers northwest of Mandalay, the country's second-largest city. Reports from Mandalay indicated that several buildings had collapsed, and damage to infrastructure was evident, with cracks appearing in roads and structures.
Footage from Mandalay's airport captured the panic as people took cover on the tarmac, with cries of "Sit down! Don't run!" echoing through the air. The immediate aftermath saw local authorities assessing the damage and coordinating rescue efforts.
As the day progressed, the full extent of the damage in both Thailand and Myanmar began to emerge. While the focus remained on rescue operations, concerns about aftershocks loomed large, with experts warning that additional tremors could occur within the next 24 hours.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to locate and assist those affected by the earthquake and its aftermath. Authorities are calling for calm and urging residents to stay vigilant as they navigate the challenges posed by this natural disaster.
