A 7.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Myanmar on Friday, March 28, with tremors felt hundreds of miles away in Thailand and southwest China. The epicenter of the deadly quake was 10 miles outside of Sagaing, near the city of Mandalay, according to the United States Geological Survey. The initial earthquake, which took place around 1:20 p.m. local time was quickly followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock.
More than 2,700 people were killed in Myanmar, with another 4,521 injured and 441 reported missing, per the the country’s military-run government. In 2021, a military coup overthrew the National League for Democracy government in Myanmar, replacing it with the military junta in power today that remains in a deadly civil war. This means that getting information from inside Myanmar is tricky, as the “state controls almost all of local radio, television, print and online media,” the BBC reports.
Hundreds of miles away in Bangkok, at least 13 people were killed when an under-construction skyscraper collapsed and trapped dozens of people in the rubble. “Travelers to Thailand should know that while only one building completely failed, nearly all buildings were subjected to the same seismic stresses and strains,” Kent Webber, senior manager of intelligence at Global Rescue, a crisis response company, tells Condé Nast Traveler. However, by now, many buildings have been cleared by safety inspectors, he adds.
For those with upcoming trips planned to Thailand or Myanmar, below is the latest travel guidance for Southeast Asia following the earthquake.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publication date.
Is it safe to travel to Bangkok?
As of March 31, Bangkok is no longer declared a disaster zone following safety assessments by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. “Thailand is recovering but travelers should be aware things are not quite business as usual,” says Webber. “Travelers should expect inconveniences. Some transportation and transportation infrastructure may still be impacted. Public spaces may still be closed.”
The US embassy in Thailand posted a March 31 advisory warning of possible aftershocks in the country. “There have been reports of aftershocks in Myanmar, however none have had significant effect in Thailand to date,” the advisory states. “US citizens are advised to follow the guidance of building management and local authorities in the case of aftershocks. If directed to evacuate a building, you should proceed with caution.”
Josh Dozor, the general manager of medical and security assistance at International SOS, says trips to Thailand can proceed as usual as long as travelers have confirmed the status of their flights and accommodations. As a precaution in case of aftershocks, he advises that “those traveling to Thailand should make sure that their hotels or accommodations are equipped with proper safety equipment and that they have a plan in place including ways to secure any loose furniture, safe places to shelter in, and fully stocked first-aid kits, nonperishable food items, and clean drinking water to have on hand in case of an emergency.”
