Singaporeans in the Thai capital of Bangkok rushed out of high-rise buildings after feeling seismic waves following a powerful earthquake in neighbouring Myanmar on March 28.
They recounted to The Straits Times scenes of people running towards open areas, swaying buildings and metro services being suspended, with long queues forming at bus and taxi stands.
Ms Irene Yap was just finishing lunch at a restaurant in the MBK Centre shopping mall with her sister and niece on a holiday trip when she felt the tremors and saw the eatery swayed.
“We initially wondered what it was, because we have never felt it in Singapore.
“But after the first sway, I said we have to get out,” the 67-year-old retiree said, adding that this is her first time experiencing earthquake tremors, which she described as “terrifying”.
[The earthquake, measuring 7.7 in magnitude](https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/quake-hits-myanmar-tremors-felt-in-bangkok), rocked Myanmar, with a second temblor of 6.4 magnitude felt soon afterwards.
The quake, which killed at least eight people, also shook buildings and triggered evacuations in neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam.
Three major malls in downtown Bangkok - Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery - will be temporarily closed for inspections to assess their safety, mall operator Siam Piwat Group said.
Ms Yap said upon experiencing the tremblors, everyone rushed out from MBK but the crowd was orderly, with no panic scenes.
Many people, including Ms Yap and her family, headed to an open area across the mall.
By then, she noticed MBK and the surrounding buildings were shuttered. The BTS skytrain was also not moving.
Despite her experience, Ms Yap and her family, who arrived in the Thai capital on the morning of March 26 will not be cutting short her trip.
As per their plan, the trio will leave on the evening of March 30.
Ms Vanessa Szeto, 55, who was on vacation with her three friends, were at their hotel lobby in the Pratunam neighbourhood when they felt a tremor at 1.30pm local time (2.30pm Singapore time) which left them feeling uneasy.
Moments later, they saw hotel employees and security personnel running to the streets, prompting them and other hotel guests to follow suit.
“We saw electricity cables swaying. There was a big heavy bell outside the hotel and it was also swaying. Those already on the street started shouting and filming behind us,” she said, adding that she saw a high-rise building with water sloshing out from its pool.
Ms Szeto, who works as a Grab driver, said while they will not cut short their trip as they are scheduled to leave Bangkok on March 29, they are nevertheless “petrified” to stay in their rooms, located on the 19th floor of the hotel.
“We reckon the whole city will be congested and there is really nothing we can do for now,” she added.
While Mr Nicolas Chan who was touring Thailand had not experienced the tremors, he had an inkling that something was wrong when he had to wait nearly 20 minutes for a train from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city.
In the end, the train to the city was cancelled, with train employees advising travellers to either opt for the bus or taxis to the city.
“I am now having lunch because nothing is moving. I am waiting for the crowd to thin out and staying put here for a while in case there are more aftershocks,” said the 34-year-old outreach manager with a non-governmental organisation. He added he has no plans to cancel his holiday.
Meanwhile, Singaporeans in Thailand should stay alert to their surrounding environment as damaged buildings and infrastructure may pose safety hazards, urged the Singapore embassy in Bangkok.
They should also be vigilant, monitor the local news for updates, and heed the advice of the local authorities.
Those in need of consular assistance can contact the embassy at +66-2-348-6700 or Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs duty office.
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