Report Bangkok Shaken by Earthquake, No Serious Damage Reported

[snoop1130]

Photo from the March 28 earthquake courtesy of Firstpost

 

This morning, a strong 5.4-magnitude earthquake caused tremors in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, testing the nerves of office workers and residents. The quake was registered at 9:58 am today, August 21, with its epicentre located 10 kilometres underground in the Andaman Sea, approximately 211 kilometres southwest of Mae Sot district in Tak province.

 

The unexpected shake was felt across several districts in Bangkok, leaving people startled and prompting social media buzz with reports of dizziness and buildings swaying. However, experts have reassured the public, indicating no significant reason for alarm.

 

According to Natthawut Dandee, Deputy Director-General of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) and Acting Director of the Earthquake Observation Division, the earthquake was connected to the Sagaing Fault in Myanmar. The same fault had previously caused destruction and fatalities during a quake on March 28.

 

Today’s seismic activity led to evacuations from several office buildings throughout the city. In the Din Daeng district, Ministry of Labour staff vacated the premises after feeling the tremors. Witness accounts from a worker on the 11th floor of the Prime Building in Klong Toei Nuea district reported the shaking lasting around 10 seconds. Other affected areas included Ratchathewi, Pathum Wan, Huai Kwang, Phaya Thai, Bang Kae, Bang Rak, and Khlong San districts.

 

An official from the Thai Meteorological Department noted that the earthquake was primarily felt by those in taller buildings, mostly over 10 storeys, where dizziness and swaying lamps were reported.

 

Despite the unsettling experience, experts have calmed public fears. Santi Pailoplee, a geological professor at Chulalongkorn University, stated, "This quake did not forecast anything significant; it was typical fault activity."

 

He assured, "It was not serious. People should not panic. Given that Thailand is situated on a fault plate, occasional tremors are expected."

 

As the nation faces the ongoing reality of regional seismic shifts, Bangkok officials urge residents to stay informed through official government alerts and maintain composure during minor quakes.

 

Only last month, a 5.2-magnitude tremor in Chiang Rai also caused noticeable shaking, jolting office environments and unsettling ceiling tiles.

 

City authorities continue to highlight the importance of preparedness and awareness of earthquake safety protocols as a preventive measure for future incidents. Ensuring public buildings are built to withstand such tremors is also a priority, although today's quake has left no serious damage reported.

 

This event serves as a reminder to all residents of the natural activities affecting the region. As always, the focus remains on safety and readiness.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-21

 

[proton]

Just come back from Thong lor, taxi driver told us about the quake, never felt anything this time, was half pissed though

[Hawaiian]

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo from the March 28 earthquake courtesy of Firstpost

 

This morning, a strong 5.4-magnitude earthquake caused tremors in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, testing the nerves of office workers and residents. The quake was registered at 9:58 am today, August 21, with its epicentre located 10 kilometres underground in the Andaman Sea, approximately 211 kilometres southwest of Mae Sot district in Tak province.

 

The unexpected shake was felt across several districts in Bangkok, leaving people startled and prompting social media buzz with reports of dizziness and buildings swaying. However, experts have reassured the public, indicating no significant reason for alarm.

 

According to Natthawut Dandee, Deputy Director-General of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) and Acting Director of the Earthquake Observation Division, the earthquake was connected to the Sagaing Fault in Myanmar. The same fault had previously caused destruction and fatalities during a quake on March 28.

 

Today’s seismic activity led to evacuations from several office buildings throughout the city. In the Din Daeng district, Ministry of Labour staff vacated the premises after feeling the tremors. Witness accounts from a worker on the 11th floor of the Prime Building in Klong Toei Nuea district reported the shaking lasting around 10 seconds. Other affected areas included Ratchathewi, Pathum Wan, Huai Kwang, Phaya Thai, Bang Kae, Bang Rak, and Khlong San districts.

 

An official from the Thai Meteorological Department noted that the earthquake was primarily felt by those in taller buildings, mostly over 10 storeys, where dizziness and swaying lamps were reported.

 

Despite the unsettling experience, experts have calmed public fears. Santi Pailoplee, a geological professor at Chulalongkorn University, stated, "This quake did not forecast anything significant; it was typical fault activity."

 

He assured, "It was not serious. People should not panic. Given that Thailand is situated on a fault plate, occasional tremors are expected."

 

As the nation faces the ongoing reality of regional seismic shifts, Bangkok officials urge residents to stay informed through official government alerts and maintain composure during minor quakes.

 

Only last month, a 5.2-magnitude tremor in Chiang Rai also caused noticeable shaking, jolting office environments and unsettling ceiling tiles.

 

City authorities continue to highlight the importance of preparedness and awareness of earthquake safety protocols as a preventive measure for future incidents. Ensuring public buildings are built to withstand such tremors is also a priority, although today's quake has left no serious damage reported.

 

This event serves as a reminder to all residents of the natural activities affecting the region. As always, the focus remains on safety and readiness.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-21

 

A 5.2 quake is something to be concerned about. 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, Hawaiian said:

A 5.2 quake is something to be concerned about. 

 

Not at all really... 

 

The Epicentre to Bangkok distance: Using the Thai Meteorological Department’s reported epicentre at 16.145°N, 96.686°E (5.4 M, depth ~10 km, 09:58 local) and central Bangkok at 13.756°N, 100.502°E, the great-circle distance is ≈ 490 km. 

 

The potentail shaking in Bangkok (with basin amplification):

 

Given the MV 7.7 Sagaing Fault quake in Mandalay, some 1000 km north of Bangkok resulted in an relative equivalent MV 6.0 (max) in some area's of Bangkok, the relative MV of this latest 5.4 quake can be estimated.

 

The MV 5.4 quake of the Southern coast of Myanmar, some 490 km from Bangkok would give an estimated relative equivalent of MV 3.5 in Bangkok when attempting to 'shake map' an estimate accounting for Bangkoks soft, deep alluvial clays that amplify long-period waves ~2–4× and lengthen their duration.

 

So... an equivalent MV 3.5 quake might be felt by some... thats about it.

 

 

Also note: the photo is not from 'this quake' but from 'somewhere in Myanmar (Mandalay ?), after the March 28 quake).

[hotchilli]

Never felt a thing this time

[ronster]

Reassuring for people looking to buy high rise apartments in Bangkok 😄🙈

[statman78]

An old colleague of mine works in one the high rises by EmQuartier.  She said that she didn’t feel anything move but did feel a little dizzy.

[Xonax]

4 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Not at all really... 

 

The Epicentre to Bangkok distance: Using the Thai Meteorological Department’s reported epicentre at 16.145°N, 96.686°E (5.4 M, depth ~10 km, 09:58 local) and central Bangkok at 13.756°N, 100.502°E, the great-circle distance is ≈ 490 km. 

 

The potentail shaking in Bangkok (with basin amplification):

 

Given the MV 7.7 Sagaing Fault quake in Mandalay, some 1000 km north of Bangkok resulted in an relative equivalent MV 6.0 (max) in some area's of Bangkok, the relative MV of this latest 5.4 quake can be estimated.

 

The MV 5.4 quake of the Southern coast of Myanmar, some 490 km from Bangkok would give an estimated relative equivalent of MV 3.5 in Bangkok when attempting to 'shake map' an estimate accounting for Bangkoks soft, deep alluvial clays that amplify long-period waves ~2–4× and lengthen their duration.

 

So... an equivalent MV 3.5 quake might be felt by some... thats about it.

 

 

Also note: the photo is not from 'this quake' but from 'somewhere in Myanmar (Mandalay ?), after the March 28 quake).

The earthquake near Myanmar yesterday was just MV 4.6 according to USGS

[black tabby12345]

 

Didn't know 3/28 quake caused road cracks, too, in BKK.

No damages in CNX, lot closer to seismic center in Burma.

[Sig]

Having lived in earthquake prone regions for decades prior to living in Thailand, it is mildly amusing how concerned people get over little rumbles like this. Even if it were centered in BKK, it would only cause damage to anything that is built like absolute crap. I suppose that could be a concern though... with so much shoddy, scam-ridden, corruption-ridden, lousy construction work around the place. But even with that, a 5.2? lol It's no big deal. It is getting close though. Once over 5.5 it starts getting more interesting. Having been in numerous earthquakes over 6.0 and one 7.6 (very near the epicenter and THAT was something that will excite anyone!), stuff under 6.0 doesn't excite me. But, again, that is with the idea that I'm not in some building that is built by some politician's cousin's Chinese friend....

[jiggi]

But did any earthquake warnings go out? Whatever happened to those? 
I know my phone didn’t receive any message. 

[ronster]

6 minutes ago, jiggi said:

But did any earthquake warnings go out? Whatever happened to those? 
I know my phone didn’t receive any message. 

Was it not September they were going to start using it 😄

[newnative]

   Why would you show a photo of the March earthquake?  Both lame and deceiving reporting.   

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Never felt a thing this time

Right. If you didn't feel anything, then there wasn't anything.🤣🤣🤣

[portisaacozzy]

6 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

A 5.2 quake is something to be concerned about. 

only by you and shoddy builders ! PS. and shoddy road builders !

[Colabamumbai]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo from the March 28 earthquake courtesy of Firstpost

 

This morning, a strong 5.4-magnitude earthquake caused tremors in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, testing the nerves of office workers and residents. The quake was registered at 9:58 am today, August 21, with its epicentre located 10 kilometres underground in the Andaman Sea, approximately 211 kilometres southwest of Mae Sot district in Tak province.

 

The unexpected shake was felt across several districts in Bangkok, leaving people startled and prompting social media buzz with reports of dizziness and buildings swaying. However, experts have reassured the public, indicating no significant reason for alarm.

 

According to Natthawut Dandee, Deputy Director-General of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) and Acting Director of the Earthquake Observation Division, the earthquake was connected to the Sagaing Fault in Myanmar. The same fault had previously caused destruction and fatalities during a quake on March 28.

 

Today’s seismic activity led to evacuations from several office buildings throughout the city. In the Din Daeng district, Ministry of Labour staff vacated the premises after feeling the tremors. Witness accounts from a worker on the 11th floor of the Prime Building in Klong Toei Nuea district reported the shaking lasting around 10 seconds. Other affected areas included Ratchathewi, Pathum Wan, Huai Kwang, Phaya Thai, Bang Kae, Bang Rak, and Khlong San districts.

 

An official from the Thai Meteorological Department noted that the earthquake was primarily felt by those in taller buildings, mostly over 10 storeys, where dizziness and swaying lamps were reported.

 

Despite the unsettling experience, experts have calmed public fears. Santi Pailoplee, a geological professor at Chulalongkorn University, stated, "This quake did not forecast anything significant; it was typical fault activity."

 

He assured, "It was not serious. People should not panic. Given that Thailand is situated on a fault plate, occasional tremors are expected."

 

As the nation faces the ongoing reality of regional seismic shifts, Bangkok officials urge residents to stay informed through official government alerts and maintain composure during minor quakes.

 

Only last month, a 5.2-magnitude tremor in Chiang Rai also caused noticeable shaking, jolting office environments and unsettling ceiling tiles.

 

City authorities continue to highlight the importance of preparedness and awareness of earthquake safety protocols as a preventive measure for future incidents. Ensuring public buildings are built to withstand such tremors is also a priority, although today's quake has left no serious damage reported.

 

This event serves as a reminder to all residents of the natural activities affecting the region. As always, the focus remains on safety and readiness.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-21

 

Thailand needs a good shake up. 

[wensiensheng]

6 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Not at all really... 

 

The Epicentre to Bangkok distance: Using the Thai Meteorological Department’s reported epicentre at 16.145°N, 96.686°E (5.4 M, depth ~10 km, 09:58 local) and central Bangkok at 13.756°N, 100.502°E, the great-circle distance is ≈ 490 km. 

 

The potentail shaking in Bangkok (with basin amplification):

 

Given the MV 7.7 Sagaing Fault quake in Mandalay, some 1000 km north of Bangkok resulted in an relative equivalent MV 6.0 (max) in some area's of Bangkok, the relative MV of this latest 5.4 quake can be estimated.

 

The MV 5.4 quake of the Southern coast of Myanmar, some 490 km from Bangkok would give an estimated relative equivalent of MV 3.5 in Bangkok when attempting to 'shake map' an estimate accounting for Bangkoks soft, deep alluvial clays that amplify long-period waves ~2–4× and lengthen their duration.

 

So... an equivalent MV 3.5 quake might be felt by some... thats about it.

 

 

Also note: the photo is not from 'this quake' but from 'somewhere in Myanmar (Mandalay ?), after the March 28 quake).

I guess posting a photo of completely normal roads after this quake wouldn’t have had quite the desired sensationalistic effect.

[node]

 

The Photo of the roadway is NOT Thailand. 

The car in the photo number plate is BLACK 

 

[Unamerican]

9 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

A 5.2 quake is something to be concerned about. 

That depends a lot on where it occurs and its effects at 500km or so distance.

It was not a 5.2 quake in Bangkok! 

[Jing Joe]

1 hour ago, node said:

 

The Photo of the roadway is NOT Thailand. 

The car in the photo number plate is BLACK 

 

 

Mmmm I dont remember  that sensational pic as being in Thailand news back then, at least the traffic is on LHS of road, how about the centre yellow line?  Still ---  lucky not as bad as that one anyway.  

[ChipButty]

They haven't finished the repairs from the last one, 

[PETERTHEEATER]

And did the earth shake for you too?

[Caldera]

That sounds totally made up to me as far as the effects felt in Bangkok is concerned. I felt nothing at all and I don't know anyone who did - no messages, no fear, no nothing. Very much different from the one in March!

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, Caldera said:

That sounds totally made up to me as far as the effects felt in Bangkok is concerned. I felt nothing at all and I don't know anyone who did - no messages, no fear, no nothing. Very much different from the one in March!

 

All part of the 'contagion effect' of reporting... 

 

When the escalator / travelator at the Airport chewed up a womans leg, every single escalator / travelator at malfunction, no matter how small, across the nation managed to reach the media.

 

Its the same with the earth quakes after the March 28 quake.

[Montnoveau]

4 hours ago, Jing Joe said:

 

Mmmm I dont remember  that sensational pic as being in Thailand news back then, at least the traffic is on LHS of road, how about the centre yellow line?  Still ---  lucky not as bad as that one anyway.  

These are Burmese licence plates.

[Keeenok Powell]

On 8/21/2025 at 4:24 PM, proton said:

Just come back from Thong lor, taxi driver told us about the quake, never felt anything this time, was half pissed though

Better off staying that way in case there is an after_shock mate.

[George FmplesdaCosteedback]

On 8/21/2025 at 4:24 PM, proton said:

Just come back from Thong lor, taxi driver told us about the quake, never felt anything this time, was half pissed though

Pissed at 10 am? It's your life mate...

[proton]

1 minute ago, George FmplesdaCosteedback said:

Pissed at 10 am? It's your life mate...

 

Half pissed 😆

 

[Aussie999]

On 8/22/2025 at 2:46 AM, Hawaiian said:

A 5.2 quake is something to be concerned about. 

Not sure what you are implying...but that photo in from March 28...it is now August 

[hotchilli]

On 8/22/2025 at 8:50 AM, Sig said:

Even if it were centered in BKK, it would only cause damage to anything that is built like absolute crap.

That's more than enough to worry about...