On Friday, March 28, 2025, Myanmar experienced two significant earthquakes, measuring 7.9 and 6.4 on the Richter scale, at depths of 30 kilometers. The epicenter was located near Shwebo, with tremors felt strongly across neighboring regions, including Kunming and Dali in Yunnan province, China, as well as in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a red alert for potential casualties and economic losses, estimating a 35% probability of fatalities ranging from 1,000 to 10,000. It is believed that up to 13 million people felt the impact of the earthquakes.
In Mandalay Region, a mosque collapsed, resulting in at least 20 deaths. Initial assessments by the China Earthquake Networks Centre estimated the first quake at 7.7 before revising it to 7.9, while the USGS reported a magnitude of 7.7 at a depth of 10 kilometers, with the epicenter 16 kilometers north-northwest of Shwebo. The second earthquake struck shortly after at 2:32 PM, registering 6.4.
The Tsunami Warning Centre of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources assessed that while local tsunamis might occur, the quakes’ locations outside the Pacific zone would not affect the Chinese coastline. Monitoring of the seismic activity and potential tsunami risks will continue. Near the epicenter, the iconic Ava Bridge connecting Mandalay Region and Shwebo partially collapsed, causing buildings in Mandalay to tilt as residents fled outdoors for safety.
The largest city, Yangon, also experienced significant shaking, leading to congested communication networks as people reached out to check on loved ones. Following the quakes, the situation in local areas appeared to be stabilizing, with business activities and traffic gradually resuming as residents returned indoors.
In Thailand, tremors were felt nationwide, with Bangkok residents evacuating to the streets for safety as a high-rise under construction collapsed. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, while in Phuket, was briefed on the earthquakes and promptly convened an emergency meeting to discuss response strategies.
As spring arrives in Thailand, what should have been a season of renewal has transformed into one of vigilance after Myanmar’s devastating earthquake. On March 28, 2025, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar’s Sagaing region, sending shockwaves across Southeast Asia. Now, Thailand braces for a potential tsunami threat as regional warning systems signal alarming oceanic activity.
The powerful tremor that originated near the Sagaing-Mandalay border has left a path of destruction in Myanmar, with collapsed infrastructure including the historic Ava Bridge. The seismic event occurred at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers, maximizing its destructive potential and reach across borders. Dr. Natasha Chen, seismologist at the Pacific Disaster Center, explains: “Shallow earthquakes of this magnitude not only cause immediate damage but can trigger secondary hazards like tsunamis, especially in tectonically active regions like the Andaman Sea.”
Thailand’s vulnerable coastline prepares for impact as tourists enjoy Thailand’s peak spring travel season. Coastal regions are implementing emergency protocols. Evacuation routes along popular destinations like Phuket, Krabi, and Phi Phi Islands are being cleared, while hotels conduct briefings for guests still reeling from Bangkok’s infinity pools becoming waterfalls during the initial quake. The Thai Meteorological Department has deployed additional buoys to monitor wave patterns in the Andaman Sea, where tsunami waves could reach shores within hours if generated.
Thailand’s tsunami warning system, rebuilt and enhanced after the devastating 2004 disaster, faces its most significant test in years. Early warning systems for natural disasters now include coastal sirens, automated SMS alerts, and real-time monitoring stations. “The window between detection and impact can be minutes, not hours,” warns Dr. Somchai Rattanaporn of Thailand’s Disaster Prevention Department. “Our systems must function flawlessly to save lives.”
For residents and tourists alike, personal safety knowledge has become as essential as sunscreen this spring season. Authorities recommend learning evacuation routes from your current location, preparing a grab-bag with essentials (water, medication, documents), keeping mobile devices charged and monitoring official channels, and identifying high ground locations near frequent destinations.
Beyond physical preparations, mental health professionals note the psychological impact on those who felt the ground shake for 60 seconds during the initial earthquake. Clinical psychologist Dr. Malia Wongprasert describes the phenomenon as “anticipatory trauma” – stress responses triggered by the threat of disaster before it occurs. “The body remains in fight-or-flight mode, exhausting emotional resources and complicating decision-making during actual emergencies.”
Regional cooperation has intensified as ASEAN disaster response teams coordinate efforts. Singapore and Malaysia have offered specialized maritime assets, while Japanese tsunami experts consult remotely with Thai officials. Cross-border disaster preparedness planning has moved from theoretical exercises to active deployment in what one official described as “our most comprehensive regional response since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.”
The relationship between earthquakes and tsunamis resembles a stone thrown into water – the seismic event displaces massive volumes of ocean, sending energy waves radiating outward. Unlike wind-generated waves affecting only surface water, tsunami waves involve the entire water column, gathering destructive power as they approach shallower coastal areas. As Thailand enters this critical period of monitoring and preparation, the resilience of both its infrastructure and its people faces a profound test. The coming days will reveal whether nature unleashes its full force or whether preparation triumphs over potential disaster.
