Moderate quake shakes Myanmar, tremors felt in Bangkok

A moderate earthquake struck Myanmar on Monday morning, sending tremors across Yangon and into neighbouring Thailand, where residents in Bangkok reported buildings swaying.

According to Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, the quake hit at 8:35 a.m. local time with a magnitude of 5.2. The epicentre was located about 14.5 km south of Kyauktan township, at a depth of 40 km. The GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences recorded a similar magnitude of 5.3 near Myanmar’s southern coast at 0205 GMT.

No casualties or damage have been reported in Myanmar so far. But the tremor was strong enough to be felt in Yangon, the country’s commercial hub, where residents described noticeable shaking.

Thailand’s Earthquake Observation Division confirmed the quake at 9:05 a.m. Thai time, placing the epicentre near Myanmar’s southern coast, about 247 km south‑west of Mae Sot district in Tak province. The depth was measured at 10 km.

In Bangkok, reports flooded in from high‑rise offices, hospitals and condominiums across districts including Bang Rak, Silom, Sathon, Pathum Wan, Thon Buri and Chatuchak.

Witnesses said they felt dizzy, saw curtains and chandeliers sway, or noticed water bottles ripple. Most accounts came from upper floors between the 10th and 24th levels.

Tremors were also reported in Nonthaburi, as well as in northern provinces such as Lampang and Chiang Mai, where residents in Si Phum and Wat Ket noticed light shaking.

Authorities in both Myanmar and Thailand are continuing to analyse seismic data to confirm the quake’s exact magnitude and depth. Monitoring agencies stressed that while no serious damage has been recorded, the event highlights the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity.

Myanmar, which sits along several fault lines, has experienced damaging earthquakes in the past. Monday’s tremor serves as a reminder of the risks facing densely populated urban centres like Yangon, where infrastructure resilience remains a concern.

For Bangkok, the quake was another example of how seismic events in neighbouring countries can ripple across borders. With tremors felt in dozens of districts, the incident underscores the importance of regional cooperation on disaster preparedness and public awareness.

Officials urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, noting that aftershocks are possible. As of Monday afternoon, no further seismic activity had been reported.

-2026-05-19