A powerful earthquake struck near the Myanmar-Thailand border early this morning, sending tremors through the bustling capital of Bangkok and raising concerns across the region. The quake, which registered a preliminary magnitude of 6.8, occurred at approximately 4:17 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located roughly 50 kilometers northwest of Mae Sai, a town in northern Thailand near the Myanmar frontier.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake originated at a depth of 10 kilometers, classifying it as a shallow quake capable of causing significant surface disruption. While no immediate reports of fatalities or major structural damage have emerged, the event rattled residents awake in Bangkok, over 600 kilometers south of the epicenter, and sparked widespread alarm.

In Bangkok, office workers and residents described feeling a prolonged swaying sensation, with some reporting furniture shifting and windows rattling. “I woke up thinking my building was going to collapse,” said Naree Somsak, a 32-year-old resident of the Sukhumvit district. “It lasted maybe 20 seconds, but it felt much longer.” Emergency services in the capital were quickly mobilized, though authorities have yet to confirm any injuries or significant destruction.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near the Myanmar-Thailand border on March 28, 2025, causing devastation across the region. In Bangkok, the tremors led to the tragic collapse of a skyscraper under construction, raising grave concerns about the safety of those affected.… pic.twitter.com/nvK3UzgQBx

— Fashion Herald (@FashionHerald) March 28, 2025

Closer to the epicenter, in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province, local officials are assessing the situation. Early accounts suggest minor damage to buildings, including cracked walls and broken windows, particularly in rural areas near the border. In Myanmar, where infrastructure is often less resilient, the full extent of the quake’s impact remains unclear due to limited communication from the affected region.

Seismologists noted that the earthquake occurred along a fault line in the tectonically active region where the Indian Plate converges with the Sunda Plate. “This area is no stranger to seismic activity,” said Dr. Somsri Chaiyaporn, a geologist at Chulalongkorn University. “However, the strength of this quake and its reach as far as Bangkok are notable.” The Thai Meteorological Department has warned of potential aftershocks in the coming hours and days, urging residents to remain vigilant.

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has deployed response teams to northern provinces, while Myanmar’s government has yet to issue an official statement. In Bangkok, officials are inspecting high-rise buildings and critical infrastructure as a precaution, though the city appears to have escaped major harm.

The earthquake comes as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. In 2014, a 6.1-magnitude quake in Chiang Rai killed one person and injured dozens, while larger events in neighboring countries, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, have left lasting scars on Southeast Asia.

For now, residents across Thailand and Myanmar are on edge, awaiting further updates as authorities work to determine the full scope of the disaster. “We’re just hoping this is the worst of it,” said Somsak, echoing the sentiments of many in the region.