On the morning of March 28, 2025, Southeast Asia was rocked by a powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale. The earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, sending tremors across borders and triggering panic in cities as far as Bangkok, Thailand. Tremors were also felt in China’s southwest Yunnan province, according to Beijing’s quake agency, which said the jolt measured 7.9 in magnitude. Parts of India, namely Imphal, Kolkata, Delhi-NCR, also reported tremors.
The quake, recorded by the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Germany, occurred at a shallow depth of just 10 km (6.2 miles), intensifying its surface-level impact. With its epicentre near Myanmar’s cultural capital, Mandalay, the seismic jolt reverberated through the travel industry, raising red flags across airports, hotels, and tourism authorities in the region.
Mandalay, a cornerstone of Myanmar’s cultural tourism circuit, is home to ancient monasteries, royal palaces, and bustling riverfronts. While initial reports from Myanmar have not yet confirmed casualties, the proximity of the epicentre to densely populated and tourism-dependent zones is causing widespread concern.
According to a report, Mandalay International Airport sustained damage, while parts of the iconic Ava Bridge on the Irrawaddy River collapsed into the water. Visuals of damaged pagodas and some homes in the Burmese capital of Naypyidaw quickly gained traction online.
Tour operators in Bagan, Inle Lake, and Pyin Oo Lwin are urgently assessing the situation, with some cancelling or rerouting tours. Hotel staff across Mandalay reported feeling intense shaking, with guests rushing outside in fear—some abandoning accommodations altogether.
Over 1,000 km away in Bangkok, skyscrapers swayed and pool water sloshed violently and fell down the side of a building. Hundreds of people poured into the streets in panic, many evacuating hotels, offices, and shopping complexes.
Thai authorities have declared a state of emergency in Bangkok. The country is not an earthquake zone and buildings in the city are not engineered to withstand powerful earthquakes. The greater Bangkok area is home to more than 17 million people, many of whom live in high-rise apartments.
It has been reported that 43 workers are missing after a 30-storey building under construction collapsed. Thailand’s National Institute of Emergency Medicine has said that at least one person was killed.
Police were also responding to an emergency situation at Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak Market, which has more than 15,000 stalls and 11,505 vendors.
In a post on X, Thai Airways announced that services at Suvarnabhumi Airport are continuing as usual. However, the airline's contact centre and sales office, including headquarters, will be temporarily closed.
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention said the quake was felt in almost all regions of the country.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he was "concerned" by the situation. He added that he was "praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone" and that the country "stands ready to offer all possible assistance." Modi also noted that the Ministry of External Affairs has been directed to remain in touch with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand.
For Indian citizens in Myanmar, contact the Embassy of India in Yangon on their emergency number +951243972. You can also dial 999 for emergency assistance as well as 199 for police, 192 for ambulance and 191 for the fire department.
For Indian citizens in Thailand, contact the Embassy of India in Bangkok on their emergency number +66618819218. Dial 191 for police, 1669 for a public ambulance, 199 for the fire department and 1155 for the tourist police.
This is a developing story. Please keep checking in for the latest updates.
