Earthquake - apparently much more serious than first thought

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Earthquake - apparently much more serious than first thought

Post by Gaybutton »

We have been discussing the earthquake on the "Construction Standards" topic, but now things have developed to the point that I think it is better to continue the news and discussion on a separate topic. Please post anything further about the earthquake on this topic.

The most serious earthquake damage occurred in Myanmar. Many building collapses and deaths have been reported, with the death toll continuing to rise.

The one building collapse in Bangkok has resulted in 2 known deaths so far, with dozens trapped or unaccounted for.

Bangkok has now been declared an "emergency zone". Suvarnabhumi Airport was closed for about 2 hours, but has reopened. There are now serious concerns about aftershocks. The quake was felt in Chiang Mai and so far we have one report from SP55 that he felt it in Jomtien. I never felt anything myself, but if any of you did, no matter where you are in Thailand, please post and let us know where you were and what you experienced, even if it was very minor.

Some hospitals in Pattaya evacuated patients until it was known there was no structural damage or danger of collapse.

At this time, news reports coming in are very sketchy and some contradictory. It will be while until we know with any certainty what really happened and if we can expect anything more to happen as a result of aftershocks.

For the time being, I am going to point you to 6 news articles, which hopefully will clarify what we know so far.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/28/asia ... index.html

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -high-rise

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... s-in-place

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/28/h ... ed-so-far/

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/28/b ... n-myanmar/

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/03/28/b ... n-myanmar/

If you have any further information, please post.
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Re: Earthquake - apparently much more serious than first thought

Post by Jun »

Bangkok is a LONG way from the epicentre in central Burma, but probably had faster news flow.
I dread to think what has happened in between.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4gex01 ... 3902f#post
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Re: Earthquake - apparently much more serious than first thought

Post by Gaybutton »

Jun wrote: Fri Mar 28, 2025 8:35 pm Bangkok is a LONG way from the epicentre in central Burma
As for damage potential, that doesn't necessarily matter. The damage can easily extend for hundreds of kilometers, which obviously it did.

A really scary thought is the USA's Yellowstone National Park. The whole thing sits atop a super-volcano caldera. If that ever blows its top, and most geologists and seismologists agree that sooner or later it will, it will likely take half, or even more, of the USA right along with it and could easily create a sunlight-impenetrable global dust cloud that could cover the entire earth for years, causing a global winter disaster that could cause worldwide mass extinctions of both plants and animals. As far as I know, there is nowhere else on the planet that is anything like it.

With this earthquake I worry about the aftershocks. Sometimes those do more damage than the initial earthquake. I'm about to leave town for a week, and the route to my destination is going to take me through Bangkok. I hope I'm far away if any damaging aftershocks do occur.
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Re: Earthquake - apparently much more serious than first thought

Post by Gaybutton »

As of morning, March 29, there are no reports of any further damage. The emergency declaration and disaster area declaration remain in effect. The death toll from the collapsed building in Bangkok has risen to 10. There are no reports of any other deaths or injuries in Thailand. Commuters on Bangkok's BTS and MRT were stranded, apparently for a few hours, while safety checks were taking place. They both are in full operation again.

In Myanmar there have been 44 aftershocks so far. I have seen no reports of them causing any further damage or even felt in Thailand. In Myanmar the death toll has risen to 144 and 732 injuries.

This is as of very early morning in Thailand. At the time of this post it is 5:55am. I will, of course, post if any further significant news comes out during the day.
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Re: Earthquake - apparently much more serious than first thought

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I received a message this morning from a Thai friend who is in Lampang - the northwest corner of Thailand. The message said "Yesterday very scary". That's all he said, but at least I know he is ok and has not lost internet access.
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Re: Earthquake - apparently much more serious than first thought

Post by Gaybutton »

Apparently most, if not all, of the workers trapped and killed in the building collapse in Bangkok were migrant workers, but were in Thailand legally. I saw no word about where they were from, but my guess is Myanmar.

There may have been more building damage in Bangkok that I have not yet seen reported. According to the article below, "hundreds of people had spent the night in city parks", which I imagine they would not have done if their residences were fully intact and safe. Fortunately the weather was clear, with no rain.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is open, but now is not a good time to have to be there. Apparently hundreds of people who had just arrived are now stranded inside the airport because of a taxi shortage. I wouldn't want to be around when a taxi does become available if people are scrambling, arguing, and maybe even fighting to be the one who gets the taxi. And I don't even want to think about the traffic nightmare most likely going on in Bangkok. The traffic is bad enough even when everything is normal .

At the time of this post, no further word about more aftershocks or building damage.
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Myanmar quake death toll nears 700 as international aid starts to arrive

USGS modelling estimates toll could reach thousands

by Reuters

March 29, 2025

International aid began to arrive in Myanmar on Saturday as rescuers searched for survivors after a powerful earthquake devastated the Southeast Asian nation amid concerns the number killed would soar.

The death toll in Myanmar jumped to 694 with 1,670 injured, the military government said, up sharply from the 144 dead that state media reported on Friday.

"Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings were affected, leading to casualties and injuries among civilians. Search and rescue operations are currently being carried out in the affected areas," the junta said in a statement.

The junta leader, Gen Min Aung Hlaing, had warned on Friday of more deaths and injuries as he invited "any country" to provide help and donations.

A Chinese rescue team arrived on Saturday while Russia and the United States offered aid in the disaster, which struck at lunchtime on Friday and damaged hundreds of buildings in neighbouring Thailand.

The United States Geological Service's (USGS) predictive modelling estimated the death toll could exceed 10,000 people in Myanmar, and that losses could be greater than the value of the country's gross domestic product.

Susan Hough, a scientist in the USGS's Earthquake Hazards Program, told Reuters it was difficult to predict an earthquake's death toll, for various reasons including timing.

When an earthquake strikes during the daytime, as it did in Myanmar, "people are awake, they have their wits about them, they are better able to respond," she said.

Searching for workers in tower rubble

Much of the devastation was in Myanmar's second-largest city, Mandalay, close to the epicentre of the quake.

In Bangkok, 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the epicentre a rescue mission was stepped up on Saturday to find construction workers trapped under the rubble of a collapsed 33-storey tower.

A 37-strong team from China landed in Yangon, Myanmar's former capital, early on Saturday, carrying medicine and equipment to detect signs of life with them, the Chinese embassy said in a Facebook post.

Russia said it was sending 120 experienced rescuers as well as doctors and search dogs, state news agency TASS reported.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he had spoken with officials in Myanmar and that his administration would be providing some form of assistance.

Hough, who worked in Myanmar on the local seismology network, said the country's mix of modern structures and traditional buildings would also play a role. Traditional buildings "are going to be less potentially deadly than concrete," she said.

Thai authorities said at least nine people had died and 101 were missing in Bangkok, mostly labourers trapped in the rubble of the collapsed tower.

"We will do everything, we will not give up on saving lives, we will use all resources," Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said at the site on Saturday, as excavators moved debris and drones scoured the rubble searching for survivors.

The Thai capital ground to a halt on Friday and Mr Chadchart said hundreds of people had spent the night in city parks, but he said the situation was improving.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/29904 ... -to-arrive
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Re: Earthquake - apparently much more serious than first thought

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I just heard from a Lao friend who lives in a village just south of Vientiane. He says they felt the earthquake there, but fortunately no damage. The distance between Vientiane and the earthquake is well over 1000km (620 miles).
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Re: Earthquake - apparently much more serious than first thought

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The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles)

Seismologists say the earthquake released energy equivalent to 334 atomic bombs
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Quakes in Mae Hong Son

March 29, 2025

The Meteorological Department reported on Saturday that two additional earthquakes were detected in the northern province of Mae Hong Son.

The first, measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale at a depth of five kilometres, occurred in Pai district at 11.21pm, followed by a magnitude 2.0 quake at 3.24am, also in Pai.

There were no immediate reports of damage.

More aftershocks expected

Aftershocks from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake which hit Myanmar on Friday will continue in Thailand for one to two weeks, according to a seismologist.

Although the aftershocks are expected to be less intense than the initial tremor, people are advised to exercise caution, said Prof Dr Pennung Warnitchai, a renowned expert on structural engineering from the Asia Institute of Technology (AIT) and director of the National Earthquake Research Centre of Thailand.

He also stressed on the need for structural assessments of tall buildings in the wake of the powerful earthquake.

"It's important to make sure that these structures are safe for occupancy and free from damage," Prof Dr Pennung. "If any damage is detected, those buildings must not be used."

The seismologist said that the recent earthquake originated along the Sagaing Fault in Myanmar, which lies between the Indian and Sunda plates. The quake fell within the safety standards for tall buildings designed to withstand seismic activity, he added.

"While risk remains, scientific data suggests that aftershocks will diminish over time."

Full article: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... s-expected
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

NOTE: The following article was published Friday, March 28

Bangkok Faces Widespread Transport and Business Shutdowns, Traffic Chaos, Following Powerful Earthquake in Myanmar

by Kittisak Phalaharn

March 28, 2025

Bangkok is grappling with many disruptions tonight after a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar and impacted Thailand as we reported here, prompting a state of emergency and widespread closures across the city. As of 7:03 PM local time, residents and authorities are working to navigate the aftermath of the tremor, which has brought public life to a near standstill.

The earthquake, felt strongly across the region, led to the immediate suspension of Bangkok’s key public transportation systems. The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT), and Airport Rail Link were shut down for safety inspections, leaving commuters stranded. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra addressed the nation earlier today, announcing that these services are expected to resume operations on Saturday, March 29, 2025, pending thorough safety checks. To ease the strain on affected residents, additional bus services have been deployed, though heavy traffic continues to clog the city’s streets. She has also made an emergency return to Bangkok from a previously scheduled visit to Phuket. Airports are operating normally.

Road networks have also been severely impacted, with main roads and expressways closed for damage assessments. Traffic came to a halt this afternoon, and congestion persists into the evening, complicating efforts for many to return home. In response, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt ordered public parks to remain open overnight, providing drinking water and mobile restrooms as temporary relief for those unable to reach their destinations.

A state of emergency has been declared, and access to buildings remains restricted in many areas. Condominiums, hotels, and shopping malls were initially off-limits as structural safety evaluations were conducted. However, in a recent update, the Prime Minister assured residents that those living in condos can now return home, signaling progress in initial safety assessments. Despite this, most businesses and public facilities in the city center remain closed tonight as a precautionary measure.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn sought to calm public concerns, stating that the damage appears limited overall across Bangkok, with the unfortunate major exception of a collapsed under construction skyscraper where dozens of construction workers remain trapped or missing, and that aftershocks are expected to weaken. Authorities have also confirmed there is no risk of a tsunami. Bangkok has been officially designated a disaster area, enabling a coordinated emergency response to prioritize public safety and infrastructure recovery.

As the city braces for a challenging night, the focus remains on restoring normalcy. Transportation and access to key areas are expected to remain restricted until at least tomorrow morning, with officials urging patience and caution.

https://tpnnational.com/2025/03/28/bang ... n-myanmar/


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Damage reported in 14 provinces; emergency zones declared in 2, Bangkok fully affected

by THE NATION

March 29, 2025

Phasakorn Boonyalak, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, provided an update on the earthquake situation and ongoing assistance efforts for affected citizens following the earthquake on Friday, March 28, 2025.

He stated that the earthquake, with an epicentre in Myanmar, registered a magnitude of 8.2 at a depth of 10 km impacted large areas across Thailand, with shaking felt in 57 provinces spanning the northern, northeastern, central, eastern, and southern regions, including Bangkok. A total of 56 aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 2.8 to 7.1, have been recorded so far.

Initial reports indicate damage in 13 provinces and Bangkok, where 9 fatalities, 9 injuries, and 101 missing persons have been confirmed.

Emergency disaster assistance zones have been declared in two provinces—Pathum Thani and Phrae—as well as across all of Bangkok.

Damage has been reported in 14 provinces: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Phrae, Phetchabun, Sukhothai, Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, and Chai Nat.

Relief efforts are underway in all affected areas, with military, police, local administrative organizations, charitable foundations, private sector entities, volunteers, and civilians actively providing assistance and assessing damages in accordance with relevant regulations.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed the DDPM to mobilize personnel and disaster response equipment from all 18 regional disaster prevention centres. These resources are on standby to support operations in affected areas and will be deployed as needed upon request.

Story and photos: https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/ne ... l/40048039
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Myanmar quake raises alarm over nation's alert system

March 29, 2025

The powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar, with strong tremors felt across Thailand, has raised widespread public concern about this country's disaster alert system.

Following the quake, social media platforms were flooded with questions about the effectiveness of Thailand's disaster warnings.

While major earthquakes are rare in the country, this event served as a wake-up call, exposing shortcomings in early warning measures.

"This shows the government was completely unprepared. There wasn't even an early warning," one user posted on the Facebook page of renowned news anchor Sorayuth Suthassanachinda.

"Even if earthquake alerts are delayed or slightly inaccurate, they should still be issued," another user commented.

One commenter noted, "No one can predict an earthquake, but if the government is to be criticised, it should be for failing to send SMS alerts afterwards -- at least providing instructions on what to do or how to stay safe. But there was nothing."

Many users questioned why Thailand had previously allocated funds to develop a disaster warning system, yet no SMS alerts were issued.

Last September, Minister of Digital Economy and Society Prasert Jantararuangtong announced the launch of Thailand's SMS-based disaster alert system.

The system was designed to integrate data from agencies like the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the National Water Resources Office to keep the public notified.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ert-system
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Re: Earthquake - apparently much more serious than first thought

Post by Gaybutton »

The death toll in Myanmar has now exceeded 1000.

Bangkok rescuers say at least 15 people are still alive, trapped under the rubble.
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Re: Earthquake - apparently much more serious than first thought

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The death toll now exceeds 1600. Quite likely the death and injury toll will continue to climb.

Here in Pattaya we are very lucky that virtually nothing happened, especially considering the extent of the earthquake and Pattaya's proximity to Bangkok, where much did happen. As I said before, I never felt a thing and I only became aware that the earthquake had occurred later in the day when I saw it on the news.
__________________________________________________________________

Myanmar-Thailand earthquake live: Over 1,600 killed, rescue efforts ongoing

by Nils Adler, Al Jazeera

March 29, 2025

At least 1,644 people have been killed in a powerful earthquake that hit Myanmar on Friday, according to a report citing a statement by the country’s military government.

More than 3,400 people have been injured and 139 are still missing after the magnitude 7.7 quake, with rescue efforts continuing.

At least 10 more deaths have been reported in neighbouring Thailand’s capital Bangkok, some 1,000km (620 miles) from the epicentre in Myanmar’s Mandalay region.

The quake destroyed buildings, bridges and roads across swaths of Myanmar. Many believe the true scale of the disaster has yet to emerge due to patchy communications in remote areas.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog ... ts-ongoing
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