Cracks found in 169 Bangkok buildings following Myanmar deadly earthquake

By Phan Anh March 31, 2025 | 10:00 pm PT

Heavy machinery operate at the site of a building that collapsed, following a strong earthquake, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 30, 2025. Photo by Reuters

Bangkok authorities have reported cracks in 169 buildings across the city as a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28 has left its mark on Thailand's capital.

According to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, most of the damage has been limited to buildings under construction, although the collapse of the 33-story State Audit Office building was an exception, The Nation reported.

The building’s collapse trapped more than 80 people inside, resulting in at least 13 confirmed deaths and leaving 74 individuals still missing as of April 1.

Governor Chadchart emphasized that not all cracks indicate serious structural damage, urging residents to promptly report any damage while awaiting official inspections.

Thai authorities have launched an investigation to determine why only one building in Bangkok suffered a total collapse while others remained standing.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, whose family runs one of Thailand’s largest construction conglomerates, announced the formation of a committee to look into possible lapses. He has requested a report on the findings within seven days, according to the Associated Press.

Myanmar is grappling with the aftermath of what officials describe as the country’s most powerful earthquake in a century, which has reportedly left more than 2,000 people dead. The quake’s tremors extended through several Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand and Vietnam.