On March 28, 2025, a strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake occurred in the northwest of Sagaing Region, Myanmar, with the epicenter located 16 kilometers northwest of Sagaing city. The earthquake affected Thailand, with strong tremors felt in the capital, Bangkok, leading to a series of emergency situations.
Following the earthquake, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Pe Tongtan, immediately interrupted her official visit to Phuket and convened an emergency meeting, declaring a state of emergency in Bangkok. She urged the public to remain vigilant as aftershocks could occur within the next 24 hours and advised residents in high-rise buildings to avoid using elevators and to seek open areas for safety.
A high-rise building under construction in Bangkok collapsed during the earthquake, resulting in one death and 43 missing. According to the Thai National Emergency Medical Agency, about 50 workers were inside the building at the time of the earthquake, with only 7 managing to escape while the rest are still trapped, with rescue operations urgently underway.
To address the impact of the earthquake, the Stock Exchange of Thailand announced the suspension of all trading activities, including the main board (SET), the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI), and the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX).
At the emergency meeting, Prime Minister Pe Tongtan made several deployments:
She ordered the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to enhance the efficiency of the disaster warning system to ensure its effectiveness.
She requested the Ministry of Defense and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to mobilize military and security forces to fully protect public safety.
She asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to assess the impact of the earthquake and develop measures to prevent aftershocks.
She instructed the Ministry of Interior and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to act as command units, coordinate with relevant agencies, and report regularly.
She directed the Ministry of Public Health to prepare hospitals and emergency medical teams to meet the needs of high-risk areas.
She required the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to continuously inform the public of the latest developments.
After the earthquake, many buildings in Bangkok experienced significant shaking, prompting people to evacuate from buildings, and some businesses announced temporary closures. Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok temporarily suspended all flights for 20 minutes, but has now resumed normal operations.
The Thai authorities are assessing the damage and monitoring aftershocks, reminding the public to remain vigilant over the next 24 hours to guard against possible aftershocks.
The earthquake not only affected Thailand but also caused strong tremors in neighboring Yunnan Province, China, including Xishuangbanna, Dehong, Kunming, Lijiang, Baoshan, Dali, and also felt in Guizhou and Guangxi.
In this emergency situation, the public is advised to closely follow official updates, adhere to the guidance of relevant departments, and ensure the safety of themselves and their families.
