Day 2 of the Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake: What’s Happening Now

March 28, 2025 – The Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar & Bangkok, Thailand

In region already balancing political instability and climate extremes, a new crisis has shaken Southeast Asia – literally. At exactly 12:50 PM local time, a violent 7.7 – magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, rippling across borders and leaving devastation in its wake. From the ancient city of Mandalay to the bustling streets of Bangkok, the Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake has triggered panic, collapsed buildings, and a rising death toll.

Overview of the Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers – a depth known to produce intense surface shaking. The epicenter was pinpointed in central Myanmar, close to Sagaing Region, one of the country’s seismic hotspots.

Tremors were felt hundreds of kilometers away in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, alarming residents who rarely experience such powerful ground movement.

Videos immediately flooded social media, showing swaying high-rises and people pouring into the streets.

“It was like the earth was breathing, heaving. We didn’t know where to run,” said Somchai, a store clerk in downtown Bangkok.

Tectonic Background Behind the Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake

Active Faults and Plate Movements in the Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake Zone

The quake originated along the Sagaing Fault, a major strike-slip fault that runs through Myanmar. This fault marks the boundary between the Indian Plate and the Sunda Plate (part of the greater Eurasian Plate). The plates are constantly grinding against one another, and when the stress becomes too great, the result is a sudden, devastating slip – an earthquake.

History of Earthquakes in the Myanmar – Thailand Region

This is not the first time the region has faced destruction from below. The 1930 Bago Earthquake (7.3M) left hundreds dead, and the 2011 Myanmar Earthquake (6.8M) killed 70. Thailand, generally seen as less vulnerable, experienced a rare 6.0M quake in Chiang Rai in 2014. However, nothing has matched the scale of the 2025 Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake in recent memory.

Impact of the Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake

Casualties and Damage in Myanmar

Myanmar has borne the brunt of the quake’s fury. As of this writing, over 260 people are confirmed dead, with more than 1,600 injured. The collapses of the historic Ava Bridge in Sagaing Township has isolated entire communities. In Naypyidaw, the capital, the air traffic control tower at the international airport toppled, causing chaos and fatalities among airport personnel.

Thousands are now without shelter as aftershocks continue to rattle nerves and structures. Local aid groups and volunteers have rushed to provide tarpaulins, food, and water to be displaced. Rural villages, already underserved, are especially vulnerable, with limited access to emergency services.

Earthquake Impact in Thailand

Thailand has reported at least 10 deaths and 68 injuries. One of the most devastating incidents occurred in Bangkok’s Chatuchak District, where a 33-story government office building under construction collapses, trapping more than 100 workers. Rescue teams are racing against time.

Daily life in Bangkok came to a standstill. The Skytrain (BTS) and MRT were halted for structural inspections. Malls and offices were evacuated. It was an eerie pause for a city know for its kinetic energy, vibrant street life, and iconic culinary treasures like Kay Fai’s fiery carb omelet. One bustling with locals and tourists eager to explore Bangkok’s famous street foods, the streets were suddenly filled with sirens and uncertainty. The city that usually thrives on its sensory richness found itself silenced, its aromas and music replaced by emergency broadcasts and dust..

Regional Effects Beyond Myanmar and Thailand

The seismic waves reached a far and wide. In China’s Yunnan Province, damage was reported in the city of Ruili, where residential buildings and shopping malls suffered cracks and collapses. In Vietnam, tremors triggered mass evacuations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, though no major injuries were reported. Laos and parts of northeastern India also reported minor structural impacts and panic-driven evacuations.

Government and Humanitarian Response to the Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake

Earthquake Declarations and Relief Efforts

In response, the Myanmar junta declared a state of emergency across six central regions. Military and civilian teams were deployed to assist with rescue operations. Military shelters have been set up in temple courtyards and school grounds, while mobile clinics are being dispatched to remote communities.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra designated Bangkok as an emergency area. Public parks were converted into evacuation zones, and the government appealed for blood donations and medical volunteers. Emergency lines have been flooded with calls as people seek news of missing loved ones. Local hospitals are operating a full capacity, prioritizing trauma care and surgeries.

International Aid for the Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake

The Red Cross, UN and ASEAN nations have pledged rapid assistance. Japan, Singapore, and India have already mobilized search-and-rescue teams, with helicopters and canine units en route to affected areas. Medical supplies, tents, and water purification kits are among the top priorities. Meanwhile, tech companies in Bangkok have launched online missing persons registries to help reconnect families.

Scientific Analysis of the Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake

Expert Commentary and Seismic Data

Experts emphasize that the quake’s shallow depth amplified its destructiveness. “This was a high-energy release at a dangerous depth, in a region with vulnerable infrastructure,” said Dr. Anjali Rao, a seismologist from the Earthquake Research Institute. Satellite imagery is now being used to assess land deformation and predict areas at risk of landslides.

What Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake Reveals About Regional Risks

The quake has exposed the critical need for improved seismic readiness. Bangkok, though not on a fault line, houses thousands of tall buildings constructed before modern quake-resistance codes were enforced. Myanmar’s rural communities lack both knowledge and tools for resilience.

These are increasing calls from scientists and civil society to develop a regional early warning system. Public education on quake preparedness, building retrofits, and more stringent engineering standards are being discussed in both parliaments.

Eyewitness Accounts and On-the-Ground Reports

Social media served as the first alert for many. Video clips show chandeliers swaying in luxury condos, temple spires cracking in Mandalay, and shoppers fleeing Bangkok malls.

One particularly poignant image shows a young girl clutching her backpack in front of a collapsed school in Sagaing – a haunting symbol of interrupted childhood.

Volunteers and rescue teams shared stories of heroism – a nurse who continued treating patients even as her clinic ceiling fell, and a group of construction workers who dug through rubble with their bare hands to rescue a trapped colleague.

Safety and Prepareness During the Aftermath

Authorities across the region are warning of aftershocks. Citizens are advised to stay away from damaged buildings, keep emergency kits accessible, and listen to official alerts. Emergency hotlines have been activated, and public broadcasters are airing earthquake survival guides. Mental health hotlines have also been launched to support those dealing with trauma and anxiety.

People in Bangkok and Mandalay are forming community support hubs to share resources and updates. These spontaneous grassroots efforts reflect the resilience of the region’s people in the face of tragedy.

Conclusion and Ongoing Coverage

As Myanmar and Thailand enter rescue-and-recovery mode, the true scale of the Myanmar – Thailand Earthquake is only beginning to unfold. The quake has shattered lives, tested emergency systems, and reminded the world that nature’s wrath knows no borders.

But even amid broken concrete and mounting loss, there are signs of resilience – volunteers clearing rubble, neighbors sharing meals, and cities beginning to stir again.