BANGKOK DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, 28 March (Bernama) -- Thailand's Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on Friday instructed the Interior Minister to declare Bangkok an emergency area after a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook the Thai capital.

Paetongtarn, who is currently on a working visit to Phuket, also ordered the immediate implementation of response measures and the full mobilisation of resources for earthquake relief efforts.

She stated that experts have predicted aftershocks within the next two hours, though their intensity is expected to gradually decrease.

"Statistical data suggests that aftershocks may persist for up to 24 hours. I urge people to evacuate high-rise buildings and remain calm yet vigilant. Schools have been advised to send students home as a precaution,” she told reporters after convening an emergency meeting in Phuket on Friday.

Paetongtarn announced that she would return to Bangkok immediately and chair an emergency meeting with all relevant agencies at 5 pm on Friday.

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported that the 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at 1:20 pm, with tremors felt in Bangkok.

Local media reported that a building under construction in the Chatuchak district collapsed due to the earthquake, trapping 43 workers, according to the National Institute for Emergency Medicine.

Meanwhile, in Bangkok, residents evacuated buildings, and businesses temporarily closed as a precaution. Authorities are currently assessing the damage and monitoring for aftershocks.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand has suspended all trading activities for the afternoon session on Friday.

The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) also announced via its official X account that the Sukhumvit Line, Silom Line, and Gold Line are temporarily closed, with passenger services suspended.

-- BERNAMA