Myanmar earthquake rattles northern Thailand border towns

Northern Thailand was rattled awake in the early hours of this morning as tremors from a Myanmar earthquake crept across the border, stirring fears of more seismic shocks to come.

The 4.1-magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar just after midnight today, April 16, sending tremors rippling across the Thai-Myanmar border and unsettling residents in the north, according to the Thai Meteorological Department.

The Earthquake Observation Division confirmed the quake struck at 12.24am Thai time, with the epicentre located around 160 kilometres northwest of Mae Hong Son province. The quake originated at a depth of 15 kilometres beneath the surface.

It didn’t end there. Just over two hours later, a smaller 1.5-magnitude tremor shook Saen Hai Subdistrict in Chiang Mai’s Wiang Haeng District, with the epicentre barely a kilometre deep. Locals reported a brief jolt but no damage.

By 7.40am today, officials had logged 11 quakes in total, 10 in Myanmar and one in northern Thailand, ranging in magnitude from 1.5 to 4.1.

The region remains on edge following a monster 8.2-magnitude quake that struck Myanmar on Friday, March 28 near Mandalay, just 392 kilometres from Pang Mapha district in Mae Hong Son.

That mega-quake, which struck at a depth of 10km, sent shockwaves into northern and central Thailand, even damaging buildings in parts of Bangkok.

Since then, the Earthquake Division has recorded a staggering 547 aftershocks. These include:

• 231 quakes measuring between 1.0 and 2.9

• 223 between 3.0 and 3.9

• 78 between 4.0 and 4.9

• 15 between 5.0 and 5.9

Seismologists are keeping a close watch on the region, urging locals to remain vigilant, reported The Nation.

“It’s important to stay informed via official channels and avoid panicking. Aftershocks are expected, but we’re monitoring the situation round the clock,” said an official from the Earthquake Division.

Residents in affected areas are advised to check the structural integrity of buildings, especially older properties, and prepare emergency kits as a precaution.

Meanwhile, on Monday, April 14, an earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale occurred in Krabiprovince, with the epicentre located in Khlong Khama subdistrict, Nuea Khlong district.

The event, which was felt by locals, took place at 2.27pm. The Thai Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Surveillance Division reported the quake’s depth at 2 kilometres.