Sat Mar 29 16:58:39 UTC 2025: ## Powerful Earthquake Devastates Myanmar and Thailand, Leaving Thousands Stranded

**Bangkok, Thailand – March 29, 2025** – A major earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, March 28, 2025, sending shockwaves through the region and leaving a trail of destruction and fear. Survivors recounted terrifying experiences of collapsing buildings and chaotic evacuations.

S.K. Jain, an accounts and tax consultant in Bangkok, described the moment the 1:18 p.m. quake hit while he was on the 40th floor of the Jewellery Trade Centre. He witnessed firsthand the building shake violently, and a frantic escape down 40 floors in a harrowing 7.5 minutes alongside over 1,500 others. The ensuing 34 aftershocks forced many residents of high-rise buildings to spend the night in temporary shelters. Despite the ordeal, Mr. Jain showed remarkable resilience, cycling two kilometers on Saturday to reach his 19th-floor apartment after structural engineers deemed his building safe.

Shikha Rastogi, head of examinations at the Global Indian International School, shared a similarly harrowing account. Lunch at a Bangkok restaurant turned into a desperate dash for safety as the earthquake struck. The severity of the shaking left many unable to stand. Ms. Rastogi’s ordeal was compounded by the need to reach her ill husband, who suffers from multiple myeloma, and navigate blocked roads to find him safe after a delayed return home. The event caused her to miss a flight to India but she is thankful to be alive.

The earthquake caused widespread disruption, including power and water outages, and massive traffic jams, leaving many stranded for hours. The accounts of Mr. Jain and Ms. Rastogi highlight the widespread impact of the earthquake and the challenges faced by survivors in the aftermath. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

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