Following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that occurred at noon on March 28, with its epicenter in Myanmar, causing significant tremors across Thailand, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly updated the latest situation on activities nationwide on March 29.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the transportation system, including roads, railways, airways and waterways, has been quickly restored and returned to normal operation. Tourists can now safely use airport services and travel by rail, road and waterway without encountering any obstacles. This shows the speed and efficiency of the Thai government's response to the aftermath.
Rescuers search for victims in collapsed building in Bangkok on the afternoon of March 28
Essential services, including electricity, water, telecommunications and other public services, as well as businesses and tourism service providers nationwide, returned to normal operations on March 29. This shows that, although the earthquake was strong, its impact was limited to certain areas.
However, search and rescue operations are still continuing in the worst-affected areas. Rescuers are working tirelessly to search for people who may be trapped under the rubble and provide assistance to those affected by the earthquake.
The Thai government is trying to recover from the aftermath of the earthquake.
The Thai government is making every effort to fully restore operations and ensure the safety of its people and visitors. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to respond to any further developments.
Regarding transportation, transportation in Bangkok has returned to normal. BTS Skytrain services and long-distance services have been restored since the evening of March 28, while the MRT Blue Line and Purple Line have been operating normally since the morning of March 29. However, the Pink Line and Yellow Line, which mainly serve Bangkok's suburban areas, remain temporarily closed. The SRT Red Line and Airport Rail Link are operating stably, ensuring uninterrupted travel for residents and tourists.
Regarding aviation, all airports in Bangkok are operating normally. In particular, at Suvarnabhumi Airport, all public transport systems within the airport are operating smoothly, indicating that the situation has been brought under control and fully restored. The State Railway of Thailand has also returned to normal operations, with all long-distance train services from Krung Thep Aphiwat station serving passengers as usual. Passengers can contact the Customer Relations Information Center at 1690 (operating 24/7) for more details.
After the earthquake, Suvarnabhumi Airport was reportedly packed with people after the earthquake on the afternoon of March 28.
Road traffic in Bangkok is operating normally, with the exception of the Din Daeng Expressway, which is temporarily closed for structural safety checks. Alternative routes are available via the Sirat Expressway. All bridges over the Chao Phraya River remain open to traffic. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has increased bus services in Bangkok and surrounding areas, operating throughout the night to accommodate passengers. Expressways connecting to neighboring provinces, such as Rama 2 Road connecting Bangkok to Hua Hin, are operating normally.
Regarding other services, all major shopping malls in Bangkok, including Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, ICONSIAM, King Power, have reopened and welcomed customers. This shows that business and tourism activities in Bangkok have quickly returned to normal after the earthquake.
Many subway stations and elevated expressways have resumed operations. As of the morning of March 29, many tourists are still staying at home, waiting for 24 hours (possibly aftershocks) before resuming their normal travel plans to Thailand.
Centralworld Bangkok, an entertainment complex in Bangkok, was also crowded with people and tourists returning on the morning of March 29.
Although the 7.7 magnitude earthquake is still reverberating, with smaller aftershocks continuing to occur, the Thai Meteorological Department has reassured residents and tourists that these aftershocks will not cause any further damage to areas across the country. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued an official statement, asserting that "the situation has largely returned to normal".
Economic, social and tourism activities have been quickly restored, bringing peace of mind to residents and visitors. However, relevant parties, including the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Bangkok authorities and relevant provinces, remain on high alert. They are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to provide necessary assistance in case of any unexpected developments.
In case of emergency, international tourists staying in Thailand can contact local authorities or call the following hotlines for timely assistance: 191 (general emergency), 1155 (tourist police), 199 (fire and rescue), 1669 (emergency medical services) and 1784 (Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department). These hotlines operate 24/7, ready to assist tourists in any emergency situation.
