My First Earthquake: A Day to Remember in Bangkok
It started as a normal day. The morning had been quiet; I’d even been at the gym. But around 1:20 PM on Friday, March 28, 2025, everything changed. What I initially thought was a minor tremor from condo maintenance turned out to be my first-ever earthquake experience. A powerful 7.7 magnitude quake had struck central Myanmar at 12:50 PM local Myanmar time (1:20 PM Thailand time), and the reverberations were shaking Bangkok.
The Race to Safety
I was reading on the bed when I first felt it—a faint movement that I thought might be coming from the adjacent utility room. A moment later, I walked out to the living room and noticed the cabinet door had swung open. Looking out the balcony, I saw what confirmed my suspicions: office workers were pouring into the street, a sea of people evacuating their buildings.
In a panic, I tried to call my husband, but the line wouldn’t connect (my call history later showed I’d tried at 1:26 PM). I quickly got dressed, and as I was about to leave the room, he called me, his voice a mix of urgency and relief. “Yes, it’s an earthquake,” he said. “Get out of the room now.”
I headed for the stairs, then, in a moment of split-second logic, decided to take the lift. My reasoning? We were only on the 7th floor, it would be faster, and if it was my time, the means of descent wouldn’t matter.
Chaos and Community on the Street
Reaching the lobby, I was surprised to see so many people loitering around. The majority of them were exclaiming that this was their first earthquake, just like me. I saw people gathered and heard staff talking about the “scary” water splashing from our ground-level pool. I walked out to the street, then decided to stand near the building’s compound gate.
My husband soon arrived, urging me to go further into the street. He had been working from a mall nearby and felt the shaking while sitting at Starbucks. The MRT had stopped service for safety reasons, and phone lines were down, which explained why I couldn’t reach him earlier. His friend, who was on a bike, was instrumental in getting him home quickly—a small slice of luck in the chaos.
We stood on the street for a good hour and a half as a precaution against aftershocks. Amid the evacuation, street vendors were still operating. A noodle cart seller offered water, and a crepe cart seller was doing a brisk business. My husband pointed out that this is why he never worries during crises in Thailand—people will always find a way to eat, and good Samaritans will provide relief.
The Aftermath and Structural Concerns
Later, the news of the collapsed State Audit Office building spread, and I was overwhelmed with messages from friends. While the media focused on that one building, the situation was difficult for others. I had friends stuck in their offices with no public transportation; traffic was too gridlocked, forcing some to walk for hours. Others struggled to find lodging as hotels were at full occupancy, and many were too afraid to return to their high-rise condos, opting instead to camp in public parks.
We were incredibly lucky. Our building, built on top of an MRT station, is structurally sound. As the condo staff assured us: “The station has to collapse first before our building will.”
The experience, however, left a lasting impact on many friends. Some discovered cracks inside their condo units or in common areas, while others, even in sound buildings, now live with a deep-seated fear of being so high up. This prompted a few to sell their properties. For those with real damage, the aftermath has been a long battle, with friends still negotiating with insurance companies who have grossly undervalued repair costs six months later.
This incident turned us into amateur experts, forcing us to quickly learn the difference between cosmetic blemishes and dangerous structural cracks. The fact that these cracks appeared in buildings from reputable Thai property developers has truly made me question whether I’ll ever be comfortable living in a high-rise condo again.
Reflections and Lessons Learned
My husband’s sister shared her experience of sheltering under her desk, noting that while many were shooting videos (“this is Thailand, of course we still shoot and share on social media”), acting fast helped them avoid the worst of the gridlock.
My husband’s cousin noted the cultural differences: Thai colleagues followed protocols, while Japanese colleagues commented, “In Japan, this is nothing. There is no need to evacuate.” To which the Thai people wisely replied, “This is Thailand. We don’t know if our buildings are as sound as Japan’s.”
Looking back, I realized I only grabbed my phone and keys—not even my wallet or passport. I did make sure I was properly dressed! In a moment of panic, you instinctively grab what you think you need, but you also hold onto a small piece of your everyday routine. I also noticed other residents evacuating with bags, pet owners evacuating with their pets. A week after the quake, I went back to the pool to confront my fear and reclaim normalcy.
I’m glad to report that afterward, many people questioned why there were no official government warnings. Since then, a government message alert system has been established. The recent typhoon warning, for example, was blasted out and provided in both English and Thai.
