Eyewitness Account: Experiencing a 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake on the 19th Floor in Bangkok

Earthquake Experience in Bangkok

• 📌 Steve Denyer describes the terrifying experience of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake while on the 19th floor of a 60-story building in Bangkok.
• ⚠️ The sensation was likened to being on a cruise ship in a storm, with disorientation, swaying, and alarming crashing sounds from above.
• ⚡ Staff and guests reacted with panic, crying, and a desperate evacuation down the stairwell, which itself was swaying.

Immediate Aftermath and Evacuation

• 🚶‍♂️ The 19-floor descent felt like an eternity, with continued crashing sounds heard even within the stairwell.
• 🗣️ Upon reaching the pavement, people were stunned, seeking reassurance and asking if it was an earthquake and if everyone was okay.
• 📉 The epicenter was reported to be in Myanmar, a significant distance away, yet the impact was profoundly frightening.

Building and Infrastructure Impact

• 🏊‍♀️ The Banyan Tree hotel experienced significant water loss from its swimming pool, with videos showing water cascading down the building's side.
• 🚧 While evacuated, guests were kept outside due to ongoing tremors and official guidance, with authorities surveying structural damage.
• 📶 Communication was severely hampered, with no Wi-Fi and non-functioning 5G, making it difficult to ascertain the safety of loved ones.

Return and Ongoing Concerns

• 🏨 Guests were eventually allowed back into the building, but concerns remained about potential aftershocks, especially near the edge of the building.
• ✈️ Despite the chaos, flights were reportedly beginning to take off from Bangkok's main airport after runway checks.
• 🚦 Traffic in Bangkok was at a standstill, with emergency vehicles unable to navigate the gridlocked streets.

Broader Context and Personal Reflection

• 🌊 The event was described as a "complete one-off," distinct from past regional events like the 2004 tsunami.
• ✈️ Denyer, who had narrowly secured an earlier flight due to cancellations, reflected on the unexpected finale to his trip.
• 😥 The experience highlighted the immediate panic and the difficulty of confirming safety during such a catastrophic event.