Latest Update on Thailand Tourism Sector as Bangkok with All Tourist Attractions Declares As Disaster Zone Following Myanmar Earthquake, In Depth Report from TTW

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

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March 28, 2025 5:34 PM

Image generated with Ai

Tourism across Southeast Asia has been shaken—literally and figuratively—after a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, March 28, 2025, sending tremors rippling into neighboring Thailand. The seismic shockwaves prompted Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to declare the Thai capital a disaster area, launching emergency protocols, evacuations, and infrastructure assessments. The incident has triggered immediate concerns for tourist safety, flight operations, and the continuity of Thailand’s tourism sector, particularly as the country prepares for the bustling Songkran travel season.

From Earthquake Epicenter to Urban Crisis
The earthquake originated in central Myanmar but its force was felt hundreds of kilometers away in Bangkok—Southeast Asia’s travel and tourism juggernaut. Skyscrapers swayed violently, prompting the evacuation of high-rise buildings, malls, offices, and hotels across the metropolitan area. In one of the most alarming incidents, an under-construction skyscraper collapsed while dozens of construction workers were on site. Emergency services rushed to extract the injured, with visuals of dazed workers being carried from the rubble making global headlines.

While the full extent of casualties in Myanmar is still unfolding, early local media reports suggest a potentially staggering death toll. Meanwhile in Thailand, at least three fatalities have been reported so far, underscoring the region-wide scope of this crisis.

Infrastructure Paralysis Hits Core Travel Hubs
The tremors halted operations at several key transportation and commercial nodes. Bangkok’s iconic BTS Skytrain system was shut down, and the Stock Exchange of Thailand suspended trading from 2:07 p.m. local time. Major shopping centers and commercial complexes—many popular with both locals and foreign tourists—closed doors as a precaution.

Global carmaker Nissan suspended all manufacturing operations in Thailand, citing the need to assess facility safety. As the country’s industrial backbone paused, the ripple effects on business travel and supply chain logistics added another layer to the disruption.

In a city synonymous with rooftop bars, poolside parties, and sky-high dining, terrifying scenes of water spilling from infinity pools and furniture flying off balconies painted a dramatic image of a city caught off guard.

Tourists Evacuated, Hotels Scramble for Safety
Hotels in high-rise zones evacuated guests as standard earthquake protocols kicked in. With Bangkok welcoming millions of tourists each month, including a surge of Chinese and Indian visitors post-pandemic, the city’s hospitality sector faced an operational scramble. Several hotels activated emergency floors, ushered guests into outdoor spaces, and coordinated directly with embassy officials to manage tourists’ safety.

Visitors staying in heritage neighborhoods such as Sukhumvit, Silom, and Pratunam reported sudden evacuations and a rush of hotel staff into action. Many were left without access to their rooms or belongings for hours, and some were advised not to re-enter their accommodations until engineering assessments were complete.

A Wake-Up Call for High-Rise Hospitality
The event highlights a critical weak spot in Thailand’s hospitality infrastructure: the safety of high-rise tourism properties during seismic events. With Bangkok’s skyline dominated by luxury hotels, condo-tels, and commercial towers, this quake raises urgent questions for property developers and tourism boards. How earthquake-ready is Bangkok, a city not typically associated with seismic activity? And what contingency plans are in place for the millions of tourists who flock to the city’s towering experiences?

Flight Paths and Travel Plans Disrupted
While no major damage was reported at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang International Airports, both facilities experienced brief slowdowns as authorities conducted structural checks. Several inbound and outbound flights were delayed or rescheduled as airlines waited for confirmation on runway safety and air traffic control updates.

Travelers connecting through Bangkok for domestic routes to Chiang Mai, Phuket, or Krabi were affected, with some tourism operators reporting large-scale cancellations or rebookings. The domestic tourism sector—especially day tours and multi-city itineraries—faced significant disruption.

Emergency Tourism Advisory Expected
Thailand’s Tourism Authority is expected to issue an emergency tourism advisory, outlining recommended precautions for travelers in Bangkok and northern provinces. Travel insurance firms are already adjusting their terms to include Myanmar-related tremor claims, while embassies—including those of the U.S., UK, Australia, and India—have issued safety alerts for citizens currently in Bangkok.

Local tour operators, especially those handling international groups and cruise extensions, are working closely with city officials to reassess the feasibility of scheduled excursions. Operators offering rooftop experiences, temple visits, and high-rise dining are temporarily suspending services until further notice.

Myanmar Declares Emergency Amid Humanitarian Crisis
In Myanmar, where the quake originated, a state of emergency has been declared amid fears of high casualties and widespread destruction in remote areas. One rescue worker told the BBC they feared hundreds might be dead, especially in structurally fragile zones and mountainous terrain. The situation could prompt a wave of humanitarian aid and potentially spill over into regional border management and safety alerts for travelers exploring areas close to the Thailand–Myanmar border.

Tourism Sector Braces for Economic Fallout
Thailand’s travel industry—just beginning to rebound from years of pandemic-related setbacks—now faces an unanticipated economic blow. March and April are typically peak periods for international arrivals, with Songkran (Thai New Year) drawing millions. However, tremors, safety concerns, and transportation disruptions may now lead to a decline in last-minute bookings.

Event organizers are also on edge, with several MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) planners reconsidering their Bangkok-based conferences or trade shows. The Asia-Pacific hotel investment conference and several regional tourism expos scheduled in April may face cancellations or rescheduling due to safety concerns.

Northern Thailand on Seismic Alert
The tremors were also felt in northern provinces like Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, prompting fears of aftershocks or delayed structural collapses. Hotels and tourist hotspots in these regions have initiated safety audits, and mountain treks or rural stays may temporarily be affected. With many tourists exploring temples, elephant sanctuaries, and hiking trails in the North, local operators are rushing to ensure safe conditions.

What This Means for Travelers
For tourists currently in Thailand or planning trips, experts advise checking real-time updates from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), airlines, hotels, and embassies. Travelers should reconfirm hotel bookings, avoid high-rise stays if possible, and remain updated on aftershock warnings.

While hospitals across Bangkok were reported to be operating normally, travelers should still identify the nearest medical facility and be aware of evacuation routes in their lodging area.

Next Steps: Recovery, Resilience, and Review
In the coming days, Bangkok’s local authorities will lead recovery efforts, beginning with safety inspections of commercial and residential buildings, followed by infrastructure audits and a potential revision of building codes. The earthquake may well be a turning point for how Thailand—and broader Southeast Asia—prepares its tourism infrastructure for natural disasters.

The incident also puts pressure on ASEAN tourism ministers to develop a region-wide disaster preparedness framework, given the interconnectedness of travel routes and shared risk zones.

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