Major event venues have passed safety inspections, and business events are proceeding as planned. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/molpix
Following the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake in central Myanmar on 28 March, which sent tremors across Thailand, Bangkok and its surrounding areas have largely returned to normal.
Despite viral footage of the State Audit Office collapse in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district and rooftop swimming pools overflowing, Thai authorities have reassured visitors that the country remains safe and fully operational.
In a live update on 1 April, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Nikorndej Balankura confirmed that the country’s infrastructure and key facilities remain intact. Transportation networks, including roads, rail, and metro train services, are running smoothly, while major shopping malls, restaurants, attractions, hotels, and airports continue normal operations.
Acknowledging public concern over high-rise safety, both the Thai government and the private sector have engaged third-party engineers to conduct thorough inspections of affected buildings. According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), most residential buildings examined so far pose no structural risk and fall within the "green" safety category.
It’s events as usual in Thailand
Most events and conferences in Bangkok are expected to continue as scheduled, with the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) reaffirming that Thailand remains a safe destination for business events.
“We have received confirmation of key venues being the host location of international events in Bangkok that business events have been proceeding normally since Saturday 29 March following the result of their inspection of infrastructure and facilities that show no impact on their usual business,” TCEB stated.
Events proceeding as planned include the Thailand MICE X-Change 2025, organised by Thailand Exhibition Association. This annual event will take place as scheduled from 2-3 April at Bangkok’s Paragon Hall.
Meanwhile, the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit, hosted by the Thai government, will take place as planned at Shangri-La Bangkok from 2-4 April. Regional leaders including Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to attend the summit.
Hotels resume operations
M&C Asia also checked in with several hotels in Bangkok to assess the impact of the tremors.
The earthquake was “terrifying” and an unprecedented event for Bangkok, according to Sammy Carolus, general manager of Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit. However, he confirmed that operations have returned to normal.
“We are fortunate that Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit has no structural damage to the building, electrical, mechanical, or water systems. We had minor cracks, but surprisingly, not a single glass window in the hotel was cracked,” he said.
"We have seen that 99% buildings in Bangkok survived this massive earthquake, thanks to the rigorous process of the building construction code/permit…"
Sammy Carolus, general manager, Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit
“The hotel resumed operations on the evening of Friday, 28 March, after safety inspections were completed. Following the tremors, our team conducted thorough safety checks to ensure our property remains secure. We continuously review and update our safety measures to align with the latest guidelines and best practices.”
For BWH Hotels, which operates multiple properties across Thailand, all locations remained fully operational with no major damage or disruptions. “Following the tremors last Friday, building inspections have been completed, and we are in the process of securing official certificates from the relevant authorities to confirm that our properties are safe for our guests,” said Olivier Berrivin, vice president APAC at BWH Hotels and WorldHotels.
Other properties, including The Athenee Hotel, are also “operating as usual”. General manager Choo Leng Goh reassured guests, stating, “The safety and well-being of our guests and associates is our top priority, and we remain vigilant. Emergency procedures are in place and will be activated if needed.”
Berrivin echoed this sentiment, stating, “Thailand, and specifically Bangkok, remains a safe destination for travellers. While the recent tremors were felt, they did not cause significant damage or disruptions to daily life. We encourage international travellers to visit with confidence, knowing that the city’s infrastructure, including our hotels, is well-prepared and resilient.”
"We encourage international travellers to visit with confidence, knowing that the city’s infrastructure, including our hotels, is well-prepared and resilient."
Olivier Berrivin, vice president APAC, BWH Hotels
The impact on Myanmar
While Thailand has returned to normal, Myanmar faces a devastating situation. The earthquake caused widespread destruction, with villages reduced to rubble, infrastructure collapsed, and thousands displaced.
The death toll has exceeded 2,000 and is expected to rise. Due to ongoing civil unrest, relief efforts are slow, and many remote areas remain inaccessible, with communication networks down.
Several tour operators and DMCs have launched urgent donation drives to provide aid through trusted networks and partners. This includes: