Thailand earthquake: Is the country safe to travel?

Thailand is reeling from the tremors of a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck its neighbouring Myanmar on Friday (March 28). The quake rocked the Thai capital Bangkok and other parts of the country.

Thailand is a popular tourist spot attracting visitors from around the world. As the country deals with the aftermath of the deadly earthquake, is it safe to travel there?

Let’s take a closer look.

Earthquake shakes Thailand

The strong quake on Friday toppled a 33-storey skyscraper under construction in Bangkok, which has reportedly been declared a “disaster area” by city authorities.

Bangkok Deputy Governor Tavida Kamolvej said at least 10 people died, 16 were injured and 101 were missing at three construction sites in the city, as per a Bangkok Post report.

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Rescue teams have intensified efforts to locate construction workers trapped under the rubble. Excavators, drones and search-and-rescue dogs have been deployed at the site of the collapsed skyscraper near the Chatuchak Market popular with tourists.

“We will do everything, we will not give up on saving lives, we will use all resources,” Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Visuals of water splashing from an elevated pool at a luxury hotel in the city also went viral. Witnesses in Bangkok told Independent that after the tremors, people rushed to the streets, many of whom were hotel guests in bathrobes and swimming costumes.

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Water gushed out from roof-top pool of several hotel in Thailand due to the earthquake https://t.co/qJ0dgb0TPA pic.twitter.com/5oFjm61pn2

— A.Quddus (@usernamekudus) March 28, 2025

Hospitals and hotels were evacuated, while urban rail and metro systems in the Thai capital were temporarily closed.

Traffic came to a standstill on Friday after the BTS Skytrain metro network shut down temporarily for safety inspections. In an update today, it wrote on X that “Green Line and Gold Line train services are operating normally.”

While earlier reports said an emergency was declared in Bangkok, Thailand’s deputy prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has refuted the claims.

Tremors were also felt in the cities of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.

A passenger returning to Kolkata from Bangkok told ANI on Saturday, “The situation is normal right now, but when it happened, there was an emergency situation. Malls and offices were evacuated. The Metro rail system was shut…”

#WATCH | Kolkata: Myanmar-Thailand earthquake | A passenger coming from Bangkok, Ranjan Banerjee says, "The situation is normal right now, but when it happened, there was an emergency situation. Malls and offices were evacuated. The Metro rail system was shut..." pic.twitter.com/M2YofxmbWO

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2025

India on Thailand quake

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is set to visit Thailand in April, expressed concern about Friday’s earthquake and offered assistance.

“Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand,” he posted on X.

The Indian Embassy in Thailand shared an emergency number for its nationals. It also confirmed the safety of its members and Indian citizens in Thailand on Friday.

“After powerful earthquake tremors recorded in Bangkok and in other parts of Thailand, the Embassy is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Thai authorities. So far, no untoward incident involving any Indian citizen has been reported.”

“In case of any emergency, Indian nationals in Thailand are advised to contact the emergency number 66 618819218. All members of the Indian Embassy in Bangkok and Consulate in Chiang Mai are safe,” the Indian Embassy in Thailand said in a post on X.

After powerful earthquake tremors recorded in Bangkok and in other parts of Thailand, the Embassy is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Thai authorities. So far, no untoward incident involving any Indian citizen has been reported.

In case of any emergency,…

— India in Thailand (@IndiainThailand) March 28, 2025

Is it okay to travel to Thailand?

Public transport services like rail and metro were set to resume in Thailand today. The major airports in the country are also operational.

Thailand’s airport group, Airports of Thailand (AOT), said on Friday, “AOT has completed inspections of six airports, confirming that the structural integrity of their buildings and aviation infrastructure meets safety standards.

“All airports have resumed normal operations as of 2.30 pm.”

These airports included Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, Chiang Mai Airport, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai Airport, Phuket Airport and Hat Yai Airport, as per Independent. 

Experts say Thailand is expected to witness more aftershocks from Friday’s big earthquake in the coming weeks, albeit, with much less intensity.

India has so far not changed its travel advisory or issued a new one for Thailand.

In its updated travel advisory for the Southeast Asian nation on Friday, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said, “There may be after-shocks. If you’re in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities or your tour operator and monitor local media.”

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) updated its security status for Thailand to a “high degree of caution”. “We encourage citizens to follow the instructions of local authorities in the event of an emergency,” it said.

The US embassy in Bangkok on Friday alerted Americans to “follow directions from local officials and building managers," adding that “police are currently checking the safety of several structures in Bangkok.”

“There have been no reports of additional aftershock activity. US citizens should continue to proceed with caution watching for unstable/falling debris, downed utility lines, and not return to high-rise residences/office buildings until building management has deemed it safe to do so. Communication infrastructure remains operational, however there have been reports of public transportation outages and increased traffic congestion,” the travel alert added.

Local authorities also asked the public to avoid high-rise buildings, a staple of the Thai capital

Professor 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, called 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. If any damage is detected, those buildings must not be used,” he was quoted as saying by Bangkok Post.

With inputs from agencies