Earthquake Shakes Large Parts of Thailand

[pharvey]

More photo's and information @ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/id ... 7522d0b104

Far more missing/feared dead than originally thought/reported in Bangkok it seems

[STEVE G]

I was watching a US news channel this morning and there was a lot of footage of collapsed buildings in Myanmar so it would appear to have been a major disaster there.

[Dannie Boy]

They’re reporting in excess of 1,000 dead in Myanmar and sadly that number is likely to increase substantially.

[GroveHillWanderer]

They’re reporting in excess of 1,000 dead in Myanmar and sadly that number is likely to increase substantially.

Very sadly, yes. According to the article below, a

"USGS analysis said there was a 35% chance that possible fatalities could be in the range of 10,000 to 100,000 people."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/ ... death-toll

[GroveHillWanderer]

Just saw reports of rumours on Facebook (yes, I know) that various businesses and the two main malls in Hua Hin were closed today due to fears of aftershocks.

I'm pretty sure this is BS but I haven't been into town today. Can anyone who has, confirm that this is fake news?

[Big Boy]

Might be of interest

[Big Boy]

Yesterday's update:

[CWinUK]

Help me out please chaps.

Thinking of travelling out in the next few days.
Usually just book a small private car from BKK to HH.
Is this still viable - or do I need to wait a while?

Thanks in advance

[Big Boy]

I think Bangkok is returning to normal (watching news reports). I don't think you'll have a problem.

[CWinUK]

Thanks BB

Digging out the Factor 30 & spare Baht now!

[PeteC]

As an FYI for those who use Facebook, as you wind your way through their pages and various posts/photos, there is more damage in and around Bangkok than most people realize. Government buildings now closed, condos, hospitals, schools etc. I was surprised as many of these smaller details are not making to the major News channels.

Details may well be in BB's above videos, but I haven't gone through them yet. My sources are just from general FB article browsing.

[Big Boy]

Yes, but that shouldn't affect CWinUK 's journey to Hua Hin.

The Government building they evacuated this morning was declared a mistake. They are saying the cracks were there before the earthquake. The fact people could hear the building groaning was nothing to worry about .

I think there's a lot more going on than they are actually telling us. Trying to downplay the truth to protect tourism?

Some of the videos they have posted are horrific. The crane driver free falling through the air, the window cleaner hanging off the side of a skyscraper and the honeymoon couple on an airbed in the rooftop pool who manage to jump off just before the matress went over the edge to name a few. That is notwithstanding the videos of damage being caused during the quake.

On a positive note, Mrs BB says they pulled out a Burmese lady alive from the rubble this afternoon (I've seen nothing to confirm that yet though).

[PeteC]

The rule is 3 days without water, and the vast majority of people are gone after that. We're over 3 days now, but perhaps today's rains hopefully helped someone to hang on a bit longer. Personally, I don't think anyone is still alive under that pyramid of rubble. Sad, but probable.

A lot of film of sniffer/rescue dogs on the site, but they are useless unless they are mountain goats and can climb a 45 degree pile of jagged concrete and steel rebar. They filmed none that even attempted to go up more than about 10-15'.

[caller]

To my surprise, I am findng the info on facebook provided by The Thai Enquirer very good and timely

https://www.facebook.com/ThaiEnquirer

I dont know what's happened to their actual website, but they use facebook well.

As BB says, social media is by-passing whatever the state are trying to control. Even seeing people return to their condos and filming the experience and the extensive, although possibly cosmetic damage, was quite shocking. Many were just collecting whatever and then leaving again! Pretty certain the Bkk condo market is finished for the foreseeable future. The widely circulated immages of the 3 connecting towers connected by walkways high up, of which at least one broke away from one side of the building, can be seen from where my other half has her condo in Thonglor. At least from the area in fron of the condo. I always thought it looked pretty impressive and there are many similar buildings in Bkk.

[PeteC]

^ One Korean guy was in the left tower (from camera angle) at a spa, and jumped the gap to get back to the other side where he was living and where his family were.

( Thai Rath Channel 32 had film this morning)