Following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake in central Myanmar on 28 March, which sent tremors across Thailand, Bangkok and its surrounding areas have largely returned to normal.
While viral footage of the State Audit Office collapse in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district and rooftop swimming pools overflowing spread widely on social media, Thai authorities have reassured tourists that the country is operating as usual.
According to a live update from Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the morning of 1 April, a spokesperson stated, “The situation in Bangkok and elsewhere has returned to normalcy.”
Roads are open, rail and metro train services have resumed, and hundreds of buildings have been inspected. Major shopping malls, restaurants, attractions, hotels, and airports are all fully operational.
Hotels resume operations
Travel Weekly Asia checked in with several hotels in Bangkok to assess the impact of the tremors.
The earthquake was “terrifying” and an unprecedented event for Bangkok, according to Sammy Carolus, general manager of Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit. However, he confirmed that operations have returned to normal.
“We are fortunate that Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit has no structural damage to the building, electrical, mechanical, or water systems. We had minor cracks, but surprisingly, not a single glass window in the hotel was cracked,” he said.
“We have seen that 99% buildings in Bangkok survived this massive earthquake, thanks to the rigorous process of the building construction code/permit…”– Sammy Carolus, general manager, Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit
“The hotel resumed operations on the evening of Friday, 28 March, after safety inspections were completed. Following the tremors, our team conducted thorough safety checks to ensure our property remains secure. We continuously review and update our safety measures to align with the latest guidelines and best practices.”
For BWH Hotels, which operates 23 properties across Thailand, all locations remained fully operational with no major damage or disruptions. “Following the tremors last Friday, building inspections have been completed, and we are in the process of securing official certificates from the relevant authorities to confirm that our properties are safe for our guests,” said Olivier Berrivin, vice president APAC at BWH Hotels.
Other properties, including The Athenee Hotel, are also “operating as usual”. General manager Choo Leng Goh reassured guests, stating, “The safety and well-being of our guests and associates is our top priority, and we remain vigilant. Emergency procedures are in place and will be activated if needed.”
Thailand remains a safe destination
Despite the minimal impact on infrastructure, Thailand’s tourism sector is expected to see a temporary revenue decline of 10-15% over the next two weeks, according to the Thai Hotels Association. However, hoteliers remain optimistic about recovery.
“Over the past few days, we have seen our future new bookings have already offset the sudden cancellations which is a testament to the confidence that the travelers have in Bangkok/Thailand,” said Carolus. “While new bookings may slow down temporarily, I am confident that in time it will bounce back to the previous level. I have seen this time and again for the past 20 years.”
“We encourage international travellers to visit with confidence, knowing that the city’s infrastructure, including our hotels, is well-prepared and resilient.”– Olivier Berrivin, vice president APAC, BWH Hotels
Berrivin echoed this sentiment, stating, “Thailand, and specifically Bangkok, remains a safe destination for travellers. While the recent tremors were felt, they did not cause significant damage or disruptions to daily life. We encourage international travellers to visit with confidence, knowing that the city’s infrastructure, including our hotels, is well-prepared and resilient.”
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to issue a list of qualified hotels that have undergone safety inspections to reassure foreign tourists. Additionally, TAT and Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports confirmed that the country’s major Songkran Festival in April will proceed as scheduled.
The impact on Myanmar
While Thailand has returned to normal, Myanmar faces a devastating situation. The earthquake caused widespread destruction, with villages reduced to rubble, infrastructure collapsed, and thousands displaced.
The death toll has exceeded 2,000 and is expected to rise. Due to ongoing civil unrest, relief efforts are slow, and many remote areas remain inaccessible, with communication networks down.
Several tour operators and DMCs have launched urgent donation drives to provide aid through trusted networks and partners. This includes: