by admin | Apr 7, 2025 | disasters, earthquakes, emergency management, natural disasters, news
A strong 7.7-magnitude quake hit central Myanmar on Friday, leading to considerable disturbances in local transport. This disruption impacted air travel as well as railway services not only within Myanmar but also extending into Thailand.
The number of fatalities resulting from the large earthquake in Myanmar has exceeded 1,000, as reported by the governing military regime on Saturday. Additionally, over 2,000 people have been recorded as injured.
AFP.
Here are five points travelers should keep in mind:
Thailand airports are operational
Thailand’s major airports are operating normally, with most arriving and departing flights facing only slight disruptions, as reported.
The Independent.
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In Bangkok, women were seen using their phones as thousands of individuals emerged from structures following the quakes. The image was captured by Reuters.
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On Friday, Airports of Thailand, which manages the nation’s airports, stated that they have finished inspecting six of these facilities.
This ensured that the constructional robustness of their structures and air transport facilities complies with safety regulations.
By 2:30 p.m., all airports had resumed normal operations.
The inspection covered Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, Chiang Mai Airport, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai Airport, Phuket Airport, as well as Hat Yai Airport.
According to FlightRadar’s flight monitoring information, most arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which serves as Bangkok’s main gateway, occur on time. Delays are infrequent, and cancellations or diversions happen quite rarely too.
Concerning departures, the majority of flights have already taken off; however, a few have experienced delays lasting more than a couple of hours.
Suvarnabhumai Airport informed travelers about the recent earthquake and recommended checking for traffic updates prior to departure. They also suggested allowing extra travel time to avoid missing their flights.
The airport recommends getting there at least three hours ahead of international flights and two hours in advance for domestic ones.
Railway connections in Bangkok have been halted.
All metropolitan railway services were halted, and traffic jammed the streets in Thailand’s main city of Bangkok, as reported.
Reuters
.
Worapa Angkhisirisap, who leads the Tourism Authority of Thailand office in London, stated: “The MRT Blue Line and Purple Line services are currently halted.”
The BTS Skytrain has also been halted temporarily as per the emergency procedures.
Moreover, the railway service heading towards Rangsit located in the north of Bangkok might face some delays because of continuous inspections being carried out on the raised sections of track.
Mandalay Airport in Myanmar has been closed down.
Mandalay International Airport, located near the earthquake’s epicenter, has been closed after suffering structural damage.
It is reported that the airport’s air traffic control tower has fallen down, resulting in at least five fatalities.
Videos from social media showed travelers at Mandalay Airport crouching and looking for cover on the runway as an earthquake struck.
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Following a powerful earthquake, people congregate on the street in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025. The image was captured by Reuters.
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Aftershock warnings
Following the earthquake, the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Thailand.
“There may be aftershocks. If you are in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities or your tour operator and monitor local media,” its advice states.
Regarding Myanmar, the FCDO mentioned that the earthquake’s epicenter is located in the Sagaing region close to Mandalay City; however, effects could reach other areas as well.
The Mandalay airport is said to be closed, with several significant aftershocks possible. Should you be in the region or considering travel there, adhere to guidance from local authorities and stay updated through local news sources.
Refunds not guaranteed
As the Foreign Office hasn’t issued guidance against unnecessary travel because of the demonstrations, there aren’t specific arrangements allowing you to get a complete refund if you decide to cancel your trip.
The cancellation terms will depend on the policy of each respective holiday supplier.
Simon Calder,
The Independent’s
The travel correspondent clarified: “When the Foreign Office issues a warning against traveling to certain areas, it mandates tour operators such as Tui, Jet2, and easyJet Holidays to promptly repatriate vacationers. This is why an outright ‘do-not-travel’ recommendation is extremely uncommon.”
There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings even if customers cancel, and customers will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless the Foreign Office advice changes.
by admin | Apr 2, 2025 | architecture, buildings, disasters, safety, seismology
The 49-story Sathorn Unique Tower, an abandoned structure in Bangkok, Thailand, gained widespread attention online when it surprisingly withstood a massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, which rattled much of Southeast Asia.
The most powerful earthquake Myanmar had experienced in a century hit on March 28, causing vibrations felt all the way in Bangkok, which was approximately 1,000 kilometers away from the epicenter. This seismic event led to the collapse of an unfinished high-rise structure and jolted numerous buildings across the city.
Nonetheless, the Sathorn Unique Tower, situated in Bangkok’s Sathon District and deserted for over three decades, continued to stand tall, baffling numerous people.
Many people on social media posted pictures of the edifice, raising doubts about how this derelict construction managed to survive the intense seismic event.
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An image posted online depicts a sight of the Sathorn Unique Tower, a 49-story structure located in Bangkok.
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A user posted on Reddit about their recent visit to Bangkok with their partner over the past few weeks. They expressed being captivated upon their initial sightseeing experience, stating they were very interested in learning more,
I was curious about that particular building. It seems as though they might consider retrofitting it before putting it up for sale. Hasn’t anything been done with it yet?
Initially envisioned in the 1990s as an upscale mixed-use development, the building was intended to stand at 49 stories tall with spectacular vistas of the Chao Phraya River. Nonetheless, when construction reached approximately half-way point, the Asian financial crisis struck in 1997, severely impacting Thailand’s economy.
The Telegraph
reported.
Numerous property developments, such as the tower, were left unfinished because of insufficient financial backing.
In its unfinished condition and ghostly, skeletal look, the structure earned the nickname “Ghost Tower.” Its haunting charm makes it a perfect spot for adventurous travelers seeking thrills.
A tourist shared on
Travelfreak
He paid 200 baht (US$5.84) to a security guard for permission to enter for 15 minutes.
Travel vlogger Jack Morris, boasting an impressive following of 2.4 million on Instagram, explored the highest level of the Sathorn tower back in 2015.
He penned, “Each time I visit Bangkok, I find myself scaling this deserted 49-story structure. To me, it offers the finest vista of the metropolis. The sense of liberation I experience here is unparalleled; it’s an emotion absent from those observatories atop skyscrapers filled with bars. It goes by the nickname ‘Ghost Tower’ among locals due to rumors suggesting it might be cursed.”
by admin | Apr 2, 2025 | boats and ships, cruises, disasters, incident, news
Travelers on a cruise ship faced enormous 40-foot waves while navigating the turbulent seas of the infamous region.
Drake
Passage.
Lesley Ann Murphy, a travel blogger who was onboard Quark Expeditions’ Ocean Explorer cruise ship, recorded breathtaking video of the ship navigating through massive waves and surging waters.
Murphy gauged that some of the waves reached heights of 30 to 40 feet, with her footage capturing their immense size as they loomed high above the vessel and crashed against the glazed windows.
In her video, which was uploaded to
Instagram
, multiple passengers were spotted congregating at the big windows as the azure waves surged upward before harshly colliding with the observation deck.
The frothy white waves slammed into the sides, causing the vessel to sway violently from side to side as passengers stumbled and toppled over.
At once, a cluster of travelers appeared to dash back and forth as the vessel rocked with the currents, while a television could be observed swinging from the wall because of the wave impacts.
A single individual confronted the daunting waves and tried to maintain his equilibrium on the deck of the ship akin to surfing as a massive wave loomed ahead of the vessel.
In her video description, Murphy characterized the journey through the seas situated between the southernmost point of the South American continent and Antarctica as a ’48-hour thrill ride.’
“I’m delighted to share that we made it through not just one but two challenging Drake shakes! To explain, the Drake Passage is located between the southernmost point of Argentina and Antarctica. This stretch of ocean is well-known for its incredibly turbulent waters,” she explained.
If luck is on your side, you might encounter the serene Drake Lake. But if you’re like us, prepare for the thrilling Drake Shake complete with massive 35-foot waves.
“Indeed, we were secure and it felt absolutely crazy—and at moments, quite enjoyable?! Totally worth it for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!” she remarked.
We were instructed to remain in our cabins all afternoon yesterday, but there were certainly positive aspects to be found amidst this situation… We had some free time, we shared many laughs, I reflected on this incredible journey, I video chatted with my friends, and surprisingly enough, I discovered that I don’t feel queasy at sea!
However, Murphy is not the first person to confront the frightening ocean swells.
Footage from last year showed a luxurious cruise ship navigating through a fierce storm near Antarctica, depicting the exact moment
Waves nearly reaching 100 feet crashed into the vessel.
and drenched the deck with icy seawater.
The Atlas World Voyager cruise ship was navigating through the Drake Passage when it encountered a severe storm.
Gale-force winds reaching speeds of 115 mph transformed the ocean surface into chaos, generating massive 30-meter (93-foot) waves that crashed against the luxurious yacht throughout this treacherous voyage.
The thrilling footage captured from the deck illustrates how the yacht was raised up onto towering waves and then tilted, dropping dramatically downwards as if falling several stories.
Tables, chairs, sunbeds, and various other debris could be spotted drifting around as the deck was engulfed by the floodwaters.
Luckily, the team successfully navigated the challenging waters, and the yacht arrived at its destination—Ushuaia in southern Argentina—without significant harm.
Even though the conditions were harsh, the yacht managed to navigate through the Drake Passage without any problems.
What happened to MS Maud, a Norwegian cruise liner, cannot be said of other vessels. The incident occurred just days prior to Christmas 2023 as the ship navigated through the North Sea. A sudden monstrous wave struck the vessel so violently that it caused a loss of power, leaving the ship at drift.
When MS Maud was approximately 162 nautical miles from Denmark’s western coastline and around 217 nautical miles from Britain’s eastern coastline, a colossal wave struck the ship, smashing the windows on the navigation deck.
The vessel, transporting 400 individuals including passengers and crew members, embarked on a 14-day voyage to see the Northern Lights, departing from Tilbury on December 9 and scheduled to arrive back at the Essex port on December 23.
Video footage acquired by MailOnline captures the precise instant when the rogue wave struck, rendering the vessel unable to steer properly and necessitating a towing operation to Germany.
The passenger who captured the video remarked: “I had the bridge view displayed on the TV to help prevent motion sickness and spontaneously chose to record it!”
The moment the wave hit, the television turned off abruptly, and the ship’s emergency alarm blared, signaling that something had gone awry.
Read more
by admin | Apr 2, 2025 | disaster management, disasters, news, politics, tourists
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports intends to revamp its approach for the latter part of this year in response to the declining Chinese market and diminished trust after the recent earthquake. The aim is to set up a fresh crisis management group.
The ministry plans to engage in discussions with a strategic advisory group to guide the Tourism Authority of Thailand as they implement this initiative, stated Natthriya Thaweevong, who serves as the permanent secretary of the ministry.
Thailand has encountered several issues this year impacting tourist confidence, such as the earthquakes that struck both Myanmar and Thailand recently, along with worldwide economic difficulties, according to Ms. Natthriya.
She mentioned that the nation can no longer depend on the Chinese market as heavily as it once did. Before the pandemic hit in 2019, Thailand saw an all-time high of 11 million tourists arriving from mainland China. However, the comeback after the pandemic has been sluggish, with visitor counts failing to recover fully so far. The previous year witnessed approximately 6.7 million Chinese travelers visiting the country, and projections for this year anticipate about 7 million arrivals.
The Tourism and Sports Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, announced the establishment of a Tourism Risk and Crisis Management team aimed at supporting the sector. This team will include members representing various organizations within the tourism supply chain, including entities like the Interior Ministry and the Department of Land Transport.
Based on early responses from businesses, he mentioned that the ministry intends to work alongside the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to provide certification for hotels that successfully pass a security inspection post-earthquake.
“We aim to concentrate on conveying one key message: Thailand remains a secure destination for travelers,” he stated.
Mr. Sorawong mentioned that the Chinese market is particularly reactive to information about the earthquake, and the ministry intends to talk with the Chinese ambassador to try and rebuild trust.
He mentioned his intention to bring influential figures from China’s media landscape to showcase that every province across the nation is safe for tourism, along with Bangkok, which faced the biggest impact.
In light of the approaching Songkran festivities, all events are scheduled to proceed without changes. The ministry has requested that the Tourist Police collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to guarantee tourist safety across key regions.
It also motivates visitors to install the Thailand Tourist Police app, enabling them to get direct warnings from the Tourist Police in case of any unforeseen incidents.
Mr. Sorawong expressed his belief that the slow-down in booking activities wouldn’t persist, since officials have been diligently addressing the problem.
The president of the Thai Hotels Association, Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, stated that the government ought to implement the domestic co-payment tourism promotion program at the earliest opportunity.
He projected that the typical hotel occupancy rate for April and the Songkran holiday season would stay at approximately 60%, which is below the previous year’s figure of 65%.
In the meantime, a spokesperson for the Thai Airlines Association mentioned that flight reservations experienced a decline of 40-60% over the two days following the earthquake. Notably, there was an exceptionally steep reduction in bookings from China, which fell by 60%.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Apr 1, 2025 | business, disasters, news, tourists, Travel
The earthquake that hit Thailand on Friday has dealt a blow to the country’s tourism sector, resulting in sluggish reservations for the forthcoming Songkran festival. Meanwhile, airlines have begun processing requests for reimbursements and annulments.
Yesterday, Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong met with the tourism industry to discuss how the recent earthquake has affected tourist activities. Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) intends to release a roster of approved accommodations that have passed stringent safety checks for international visitors.
Chaiyapatranun Thienprasit, who leads the Thai Hotels Association (THA), stated that the majority of Bangkok’s hotels are secure and have undergone inspections by engineers.
The Provincial Administration Department has requested hotel operators to assess the structural integrity and adherence to safety norms in their establishments as mandated by hotel regulations, and subsequently submit a report to the department. This directive stems from the fact that hotels are classified as public structures and serve numerous residents and visitors alike.
If damage occurred at a hotel, the operator needed to inform the department’s registrar within 15 days following the event.
He expressed his worry regarding the security of travelers who have reserved unauthorized lodging, should unforeseen incidents happen down the line.
These unauthorized accommodations may fail to register visitors’ information, and the buildings could be non-compliant with safety regulations because of unpermitted alterations, as he pointed out.
Furthermore, images of the State Audit Office building collapsing have circulated extensively through social media platforms and international news channels, affecting perceptions regarding the safety of tourists in Thailand.
Mr. Thienprasit stated that the government ought to promptly look into the incident’s origins and inform the public since the majority of structures in Bangkok haven’t suffered significant damage.
It should also improve the real-time disaster alert system with a hub platform which provides vital information.
Paisarn Sukjarean, who leads the THA’s upper northern division, stated that despite Chiang Mai being close to the quake’s center in Myanmar, local hotels haven’t experienced significant harm. This includes about 15 skyscrapers with over ten floors each in the province.
Mr. Paisarn mentioned that currently, there are about three structures in Chiang Mai that remain inaccessible, including one school and two residential buildings.
The Chiang Mai Municipality has promptly addressed building inspections within the city limits, particularly focusing on the main tourist hub where significant structures are located.
Even though the effects may not be visible until the end of the week regarding the Songkran festivities, hotels have experienced lower reservation numbers than anticipated since the weekend.
Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, stated that the organization will assist hotel operators in collaborating with the Tourism Ministry to promote a list of accommodations deemed safe after undergoing evaluations.
Mr. Siripakorn mentioned that the tourism minister is contemplating allocating additional funds specifically aimed at supporting property checks.
Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, who leads the commercial division at Thai Lion Air, stated that the airline continues to operate all flights routinely. However, she admitted that declaring a state of emergency in Bangkok has noticeably affected the travel enthusiasm of incoming visitors.
Mrs Nuntaporn emphasized that it is essential for the government to guarantee safe travel in Thailand, offering official reports from accredited specialists to rebuild trust in anticipation of the Songkran festival.
Several international travelers asked about the airline’s rules regarding canceled flights and reimbursement procedures.
In the meantime, SET-listed Asset World Corp declared a 50% reduction in room rates at all of its nine Bangkok hotels until April 6 for individuals affected by the earthquake.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 30, 2025 | disasters, emergencies, news, severe weather, storms
A significant storm system is currently moving through the central U.S., bringing with it an array of hazardous weather conditions including intense thunderstorms, tornadoes, and ice storms. This has resulted in widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of people and placing millions at risk of damage from these destructive forces.
Over 75 million Americans find themselves within the danger area as the enormous weather system moves eastwards, potentially setting off tornado watches, flash flood warnings, and ice storm alerts across several states.
‘A wide area spanning much of the Southeast along with parts of the lower and mid sections will likely experience multiple intense thunderstorms throughout today and into the night.’
Mississippi
Valley into the
Ohio
valleys and the southern Great Lakes region,’
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center
announced Sunday.
The statement went on to say, ‘There is a high likelihood of extensive areas experiencing damaging winds. Additionally, significant-sized hail and multiple tornadoes are expected from supercell thunderstorms. Some of these tornadoes might be intense.’
About twelve tornadoes might strike cities such as Little Rock.
Arkansas
; Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee; Paducah,
Kentucky
; Evansville and Bloomington,
Indiana
as early as Sunday afternoon and evening.
Severe weather forecasted for Monday is anticipated to impact the busy Interstate 81, 85, and 95 routes stretching from New Orleans to Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington.
DC
, Philadelphia and
New York City
, as reported
Accuweather
.
By late Saturday evening, a tornado warning had been issued for large parts of the region.
Oklahoma
until 1 am Sunday,
ABC News
noted, since forecasters cautioned about ‘substantially sized hail along with destructive wind gusts’ throughout the southern Plains region.
This might affect significant areas such as Oklahoma City and Dallas throughout the evening.
Southern
Louisiana
Near Baton Rouge was likewise subject to a flash flood warning, as certain regions had already received up to 4.5 inches of rainfall.
Meteorologists anticipate an additional 1 to 2 inches could occur by early Sunday.
Destruction has already started in sections of the Midwest, with over 200,000 customers experiencing power outages—67,631 in northern Wisconsin and an astounding 148,141 in northern Michigan.
Michigan
– Following a major ice storm that led to extensive tree destruction and complicated travel, according to TMJ4.
Local authorities indicate that several counties in northern Michigan are facing widespread power outages, impacting more than 90 percent of inhabitants, due to trees falling onto electrical wires.
On Sunday, the situation might worsen due to the storm moving eastwards, bringing about several waves of severe weather systems anticipated to move across eastern Texas up to the southern Great Lakes region during the daytime and extending through the nighttime hours.
This is where the highest likelihood of hazardous severe thunderstorms is anticipated.
Meteorologists have likewise alerted about a particularly hazardous area prone to intense tornadoes extending from eastern Arkansas into western regions.
Tennessee
and Kentucky into southwestern Indiana.
It might affect residents in Memphis, Nashville, Louisville, and Evansville.
In addition, thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall are advancing towards the Carolinas and Asheville—areas that have recently experienced wildfires because of arid weather conditions.
On Saturday, seven states ranging from New York to North Carolina continued to face Increased Fire Risk.
Many regions will continue to face significant weather hazards throughout the night.
At the same time, the northern part of the storm is ushering in a cold front, with predictions of snow and ice stretching from North Dakota all the way to New England.
Warnings of an ice storm have been posted for Wisconsin and Michigan, with forecasts indicating that as much as a half-inch of ice could accumulate on roads, trees, and electrical systems.
By Monday, this damaging system will hit the East Coast and the I-95 corridor, possibly affecting zones ranging from Upstate New York to Tallahassee and New Orleans, bringing along hazardous winds and potential twisters in the southern parts.
Read more
