Thailand travel warning as 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Myanmar

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at midday local time on 28 March, sending violent tremors across Thailand and as far as China.

The jolt caused a skyscraper to crumble in the Thai capital Bangkok, causing three deaths and leaving 81 people still missing under the rubble.

European governments have updated their travel advice for tourists in Thailand and with upcoming trips. Here’s what you need to know about safety and travel insurance.

State of emergency declared in six regions in Myanmar

The earthquake, whose epicentre was near the city of Mandalay in Myanmar, has caused dozens of buildings to collapse. Its shallow depth of 10 metres amplified the ground-level impact.

A 6.4 magnitude aftershock was also felt 12 minutes later near the city, the US Geological Survey reported, with tremors being felt as far away as Laos, Bangladesh and China.

Footage reportedly filmed inside Mandalay airport shows people running through dust-filled hallways and huddled on the floor outside the building for safety.

In the town of Taungoo in Myanmar, the partial collapse of a mosque killed two people, according to Reuters.

Local media reports that at least two people have died and 20 have been injured after a hotel crumbled in Aungban in the south of the country.

There are likely many more casualties across the country, but its volatile political situation under a military-run government means journalists have restricted access and reports from the ground are difficult to verify.

A state of emergency has been declared in six regions and states in Myanmar by authorities.

In Bangkok, the tower block that came down was under construction. A rescue worker said seven people had been found alive but 81 people are still missing.

Authorities have reportedly received 169 calls about damage to buildings in the Thai capital. It has been declared a ‘disaster area’.

Hundreds of residents and tourists have been evacuated to the streets from high-rise buildings and hotels, while there are reports of water sloshing out of swimming pools in several parts of the city.

Is it safe to travel to Thailand?

Thailand is a tourism hotspot which is seeing a spike in visitors after the HBO series The White Lotus was set in a resort in the country.

After the earthquake rocked the capital Bangkok, urban rail and metro systems were temporarily closed and are expected to resume services on Saturday.

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Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport was briefly shut down in the immediate aftermath but has now reopened, with flights operating normally. Thailand’s other major airports have not experienced disruption.

Local authorities have advised the public to avoid high-rise buildings, which crowd the densely populated city.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Thailand.

“If you’re in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities or your tour operator and monitor local media,” it urges travellers.

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Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has updated its security status for Thailand to ‘high degree of caution’.

“We encourage citizens to follow the instructions of local authorities in the event of an emergency,” it has said.

There is also ongoing advice (unrelated to the earthquake) from the FCDO against all but essential travel to parts of south Thailand near the Thailand-Malaysia border.

This includes the Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat Provinces and the southern Songkhla Province south of the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom and south of the train line which runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar.

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FCDO also advises against all but essential travel on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through these provinces. This is due to regular attacks in these areas by the border with Malaysia.

Is it safe to travel to Myanmar?

The FCDO has also issued updated advice for travellers in Myanmar, stating that the epicentre is in the Sagaing region near Mandalay, but other areas may also be affected.

“Mandalay airport is reportedly closed. There may be several strong after-shocks.

“If you’re in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media.”

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Am I covered by travel insurance if I go ahead with my trip to Thailand?

The UK foreign office warns that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice. This means going to areas where it advises against all but essential travel.

As it has not issued a ‘no-go’ warning for earthquake-affected zones, you are not automatically entitled to a refund if you cancel your trip – referred to as ‘disinclination to travel’.

Reimbursement is only likely if your flight is cancelled by the airline or your accommodation is closed due to the earthquake.

If you have booked with a travel agent or tour operator, contact the company directly to understand your options.

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“If you are travelling to Thailand over the next few days, speak to your airline or travel operator in the first instance. It may be that some regions of Thailand will be deemed unsafe to travel, in which case airlines will cancel flights, but disruption is likely to be localised so it will depend on which region you are travelling to,” says Ernesto Suarez, CEO of travel insurance providers Gigasure. 

 “When disruption is caused by natural disasters or circumstances outside of an airline’s control, passengers are normally allowed to change their booking, but you may not be entitled to any additional compensation.  

Some insurance policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents travellers from reaching their holiday destination. You should read the terms and conditions carefully and talk to your provider for advice.