MASSIVE BANGKOK QUAKE LEAVES CITY REELING, BUILDING CRUMBLES

BANGKOK, March 28 (Bernama) – A powerful earthquake reportedly struck the Thai capital on Friday, shaking buildings, sending residents fleeing, and triggering widespread panic across the city.

The Thai Meteorological Department reported the earthquake as having a magnitude of 8.2, while the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation recorded it at 7.4.

The incident occurred around 1:20 pm (local time). Panicked crowds rushed out of buildings across Bangkok as powerful tremors shook the city.

Videos and images flooded social media, capturing scenes of people fleeing in panic from buildings.

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) building, currently under construction in Chatuchak, collapsed. Initial reports from Thai authorities indicate that 43 workers are trapped beneath the debris.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has urged the public to remain on high alert, warning that additional aftershocks could occur within the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has ordered the establishment of an earthquake incident command centre at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) office.

He said the BMA is working closely with relevant agencies to inspect buildings—particularly high-rises and key infrastructure—and to monitor areas that may have sustained damage or pose risks to public safety.

Hospital maintenance teams have been directed to inspect the structural integrity of buildings. If deemed safe, critical patients will be allowed to return for immediate treatment, while non-urgent cases may be rescheduled as necessary.

-- BERNAMA