Is it safe to travel to Thailand and is Bangkok airport open? Latest advice after Myanmar earthquake
European governments have up to date their journey recommendation for vacationers within the space and with upcoming journeys.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at noon native time on 28 March, sending violent tremors throughout Thailand and so far as China.
The jolt prompted a skyscraper to crumble within the Thai capital Bangkok, inflicting 17 deaths and leaving 78 individuals nonetheless lacking underneath the rubble.
European governments have up to date their journey recommendation for vacationers in Thailand and with upcoming journeys. Right here’s what you must learn about security and journey insurance coverage.
State of emergency declared in six areas in Myanmar
The earthquake, whose epicentre was close to the town of Mandalay in Myanmar, has prompted dozens of buildings to break down. Its shallow depth of 10 kilometres amplified the ground-level influence.
A 6.4 magnitude aftershock was additionally felt 12 minutes later close to the town, the US Geological Survey reported, with tremors being felt as far-off as Laos, Bangladesh and China.
Footage reportedly filmed inside Mandalay airport exhibits individuals operating by dust-filled hallways and huddled on the ground outdoors the constructing for security.
Myanmar’s state media is reporting that a minimum of 1,600 have died and 1000’s extra are injured.
There are possible many extra casualties throughout the nation, however its risky political scenario underneath a military-run authorities means journalists have restricted entry and experiences from the bottom are troublesome to confirm.
A state of emergency has been declared in six areas and states in Myanmar by authorities.
In Bangkok, the tower block that got here down was underneath development. A rescue employee mentioned seven individuals had been discovered alive however 78 individuals are nonetheless lacking.
Authorities have reportedly obtained 169 calls about harm to buildings within the Thai capital. It has been declared a ‘catastrophe space’.
Tons of of residents and vacationers have been evacuated to the streets from high-rise buildings and motels, whereas there are experiences of water sloshing out of swimming swimming pools in a number of elements of the town.
Is it secure to journey to Thailand?
Thailand is a tourism hotspot which is seeing a spike in guests after the HBO collection The White Lotus was set in a resort within the nation.
After the earthquake rocked the capital Bangkok, city rail and metro methods have been briefly closed however resumed companies on Saturday.
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport was briefly shut down within the rapid aftermath however has now reopened, with flights working usually. Thailand’s different main airports haven’t skilled disruption.
Native authorities have suggested the general public to keep away from high-rise buildings, which crowd the densely populated metropolis.
The UK’s Overseas, Commonwealth & Growth Workplace (FCDO) has up to date its journey recommendation for Thailand.
“Should you’re within the space or planning to journey there, comply with the recommendation of the native authorities or your tour operator and monitor native media,” it urges travellers.
Eire’s Division of Overseas Affairs and Commerce (DFAT) has up to date its safety standing for Thailand to ‘excessive diploma of warning’.
“We encourage residents to comply with the directions of native authorities within the occasion of an emergency,” it has mentioned.
Thailand’s authorities have been fast to reassure vacationers that it’s nonetheless secure to journey to the nation.
“Journey, motels, and occasions proceed usually. Inspections are ongoing for security assurance. Vacationer police monitor key websites,” Thailand’s Tourism Minister Sorawong was quoted as saying in a authorities put up on X.
There may be ongoing recommendation (unrelated to the earthquake) from the FCDO in opposition to all however important journey to elements of south Thailand close to the Thailand-Malaysia border.
This contains the Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat Provinces and the southern Songkhla Province south of the A43 highway between Hat Yai and Sakom and south of the practice line which runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar.
FCDO additionally advises in opposition to all however important journey on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar practice line that runs by these provinces. This is because of common assaults in these areas by the border with Malaysia.
Is it secure to journey to Myanmar?
The FCDO has additionally issued up to date recommendation for travellers in Myanmar, stating that the epicentre is within the Sagaing area close to Mandalay, however different areas may be affected.
“Mandalay and Naypyitaw airports are considerably broken with no indication of when they might reopen. There could also be a number of sturdy after-shocks.
“Should you’re within the space or planning to journey there, comply with the recommendation of the native authorities and monitor native media.”
Am I coated by journey insurance coverage if I’m going forward with my journey to Thailand?
The UK international workplace warns that your journey insurance coverage could possibly be invalidated should you journey in opposition to its recommendation. This implies going to areas the place it advises in opposition to all however important journey.
Because it has not issued a ‘no-go’ warning for earthquake-affected zones, you aren’t mechanically entitled to a refund should you cancel your journey – known as ‘disinclination to journey’.
Reimbursement is just possible in case your flight is cancelled by the airline or your lodging is closed as a result of earthquake.
When you’ve got booked with a journey agent or tour operator, contact the corporate instantly to know your choices.
“In case you are travelling to Thailand over the subsequent few days, converse to your airline or journey operator within the first occasion. It might be that some areas of Thailand will likely be deemed unsafe to journey, during which case airways will cancel flights, however disruption is more likely to be localised so it’s going to rely upon which area you might be travelling to,” says Ernesto Suarez, CEO of journey insurance coverage suppliers Gigasure.
“When disruption is brought on by pure disasters or circumstances outdoors of an airline’s management, passengers are usually allowed to alter their reserving, however you might not be entitled to any extra compensation.
Some insurance coverage insurance policies embody pure catastrophe cowl for an occasion that stops travellers from reaching their vacation vacation spot. It is best to learn the phrases and circumstances rigorously and speak to your supplier for recommendation.
