A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck Thailand and Myanmar on March 28, 2025, causing widespread panic and significant damage, particularly in Bangkok. The tremors began at 13:20 local time (09:20 Moscow time) and lasted for approximately 10 minutes, leaving many residents and tourists scrambling for safety.
In Bangkok, the situation escalated quickly as authorities ordered the evacuation of residents from multi-story buildings. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of chaos, with frightened individuals rushing out of their homes and office buildings. Videos circulating on social media showed water gushing from rooftop pools of skyscrapers, highlighting the intensity of the quake.
According to Agence France-Presse, at least 43 workers were reported to be trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building in the city, with reports of 67 individuals missing following the disaster. The Russian Embassy in Thailand confirmed that they were investigating the situation regarding possible casualties among Russian citizens, as many tourists were present in Bangkok at the time of the earthquake. "We are clarifying the situation regarding possible victims of the earthquake in Thailand. Strong tremors were felt at the embassy," stated Ilya Ilyin, the head of the consular department at the Russian diplomatic mission.
In the aftermath of the quake, the Thai Prime Minister, Pkhetkhongan Chinawat, declared a state of emergency in Bangkok to manage the crisis effectively. She interrupted a working event in Phuket to convene an emergency meeting to address the situation. "During the inspection in Phuket, the Prime Minister received news of the earthquake and ordered the meeting to be interrupted to discuss the incident," reported the Thai government.
As authorities worked to assess the damage and rescue trapped individuals, the Thai Meteorological Department issued warnings about potential aftershocks, urging residents to remain cautious and stay outdoors. The department called for vigilance, emphasizing the risk of further seismic activity in the region.
In response to the earthquake, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the futures exchange TFEX suspended trading. Additionally, the aviation regulator in Thailand issued a ban on all flights from airports across the country. However, Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport continued to operate normally, according to reports from Aeroflot, which stated that their flights to Bangkok and Phuket were running on schedule. "Aeroflot has not received official notifications regarding restrictions on the operation of airports in Bangkok and Phuket. Our flights are being carried out according to the schedule," the airline confirmed.
Despite the chaos in Bangkok, reports indicated that the island of Phuket remained largely unaffected by the earthquake. Tourists there reported calm conditions, with no tremors felt and only some waves observed in the water. Valeria Kalinikhina, a tour agent, noted, "There are many clients in Phuket, and everything is fine with them. The earthquake in Bangkok did not affect the island. Everyone is quiet, calm, and relaxing; there are no requests to cancel tours or return money." This sentiment was echoed by other tourists who expressed relief at their safety.
As the day unfolded, experts warned of the possibility of a more powerful aftershock expected later in the afternoon. The US Geological Survey reported that the epicenter of the initial earthquake was located 16 kilometers northwest of the city of Sagaing, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Reports from AFP journalists indicated that the capital of Myanmar, Naypyidaw, experienced significant shaking, with buildings swaying and roads being deformed.
In light of the ongoing situation, the Thai government has mobilized resources to aid in rescue efforts and assess the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of a coordinated response to ensure the safety of all residents and tourists in the affected areas.
As the rescue operations continued, the full impact of the earthquake remained uncertain, with authorities urging residents to stay alert for further developments. The situation in Bangkok and surrounding regions will be closely monitored as more information becomes available.
