Midnight quakes jolt northern Thailand and Myanmar region

Puntid Tantivangphaisal3 weeks agoLast Updated: Friday, April 18, 2025

131 1 minute read

Midnight quakes jolt northern Thailand and Myanmar region — Photo of a collapsed building in Bangkok courtesy of Financial Times

Late-night rumblings rattled parts of northern Thailand and Myanmar today as seven minor earthquakes struck the region in the early hours, sparking concern but causing no reported damage.

According to the Thai Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation Division, the series of seismic events occurred today, April 18, with magnitudes ranging from 1.4 to 4.1. Most of the tremors were recorded in Myanmar, though one quake was felt within Thai borders.

The department confirmed that the only quake in Thailand occurred at 1.12am in Na Yang Subdistrict, Sop Prap district, Lampang province. Measuring 1.4 in magnitude and occurring at a shallow depth of just 5 kilometres, the tremor was likely imperceptible to most residents.

The strongest tremor of the day struck Myanmar at 4.27am, registering a magnitude of 4.1. It originated at a depth of 10 kilometres, roughly 345 kilometres northwest of Mae Hong Son province, close enough to draw attention from Thai earthquake monitors, said the Earthquake Observation Division.

“There have been no reports of property damage or casualties.”

Midnight quakes jolt northern Thailand and Myanmar region | News by Thaiger — Photo courtesy of The Nation

Seismic activity in this region is not uncommon, as both Myanmar and northern Thailand sit near tectonic fault lines. However, such clusters of quakes in a short time frame often prompt increased public interest and monitoring.

Officials urged residents to remain calm but informed, especially those living in quake-prone provinces like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Lampang, reported The Nation.

For those seeking real-time updates, the department encourages people to follow their official channels.

“For the latest updates on the earthquake situation, visit the division’s website, follow us on Facebook, X, Telegram, YouTube, and TikTok under the name EarthquakeTMD, or install the EarthquakeTMD mobile application.”

Experts note that while small-scale earthquakes typically cause little concern, ongoing seismic monitoring is crucial for early detection of more serious events.

In recent years, Thailand’s northern provinces have seen an increase in both the frequency and detection of minor tremors, thanks to improved monitoring systems and public awareness.

Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Originally from Hong Kong, Puntid moved to Bangkok in 2020 to pursue further studies in translation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Hong Kong. Puntid spent 8 years living in Manchester, UK. Before joining The Thaiger, Puntid has been a freelance translator for 2 years. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and listening to music, as well as writing short fiction and poetry.