A pair of powerful earthquakes struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025, causing massive destruction and severe travel disruptions across both Myanmar and Thailand. Authorities in both countries have declared a state of emergency as rescue teams work around the clock to find survivors in collapsed buildings. The tremors were so strong they were felt as far away as Bangkok, where high-rise buildings swayed and some structures suffered damage.
The first quake measured a devastating 7.7 magnitude – the strongest to hit Myanmar in over a century. A second quake of 6.4 magnitude followed shortly after, compounding the destruction. Satellite images show entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, with crushed vehicles and debris covering streets. The death toll continues to rise as emergency workers face dangerous conditions while searching through unstable wreckage.
Air travel has been severely impacted across the region. Mandalay International Airport remains closed indefinitely after suffering catastrophic structural damage. In the capital Naypyidaw, the international airport’s control tower collapsed completely, killing all air traffic staff inside at the time of the quakes. Thailand’s six major airports remain operational but are experiencing significant delays as they handle diverted flights from Myanmar. Travelers should expect long queues and are advised to arrive several hours early for flights due to damaged roads causing traffic congestion around airports.
Rail networks in both countries have ground to a halt. All train services in Myanmar have been suspended while engineers assess track damage. In Thailand, Bangkok’s entire metro system – including the MRT Blue and Purple lines and BTS Skytrain – remains shut down for safety inspections. Officials warn that even after services resume, travelers should expect major delays as repairs continue. Some elevated tracks in northern suburbs may take weeks to repair.
Road travel presents perhaps the greatest challenge. Many highways and bridges have been rendered impassable, either collapsed or buried under debris. Some rural areas have been completely cut off from emergency services. Authorities warn that road repairs could take months in hardest-hit regions.
Tourists are being strongly advised to avoid travel to affected areas. Those with existing bookings should contact airlines and hotels for cancellation policies. Travel insurance providers report being inundated with claims as thousands of travelers alter their plans. The Myanmar and Thai governments have set up emergency hotlines for concerned family members trying to locate loved ones in the disaster zone.
As the region begins the long process of recovery, officials stress that travel disruptions will continue for the foreseeable future. Airlines are waiving change fees for affected routes, while railway operators cannot estimate when normal service might resume. The full economic impact on Southeast Asia’s crucial tourism industry remains unknown, but analysts predict losses in the billions of dollars.
This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available from ground crews and government officials working in extremely challenging conditions. Relief organizations are mobilizing to provide aid, but warn that access to some areas may take days to establish due to the widespread infrastructure damage.
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