PRAY FOR THAILAND

AND MYANMAR TOO

Having just returned from Thailand a little more than a week ago, the horrific news about the 7.7 earthquake whose epicenter was in Myanmar, but toppled buildings in Bangkok, is especially troubling. The death toll is approximately 1,000, but expected to rise in Myanmar, a country already in the throes of a civil war.

In Bangkok a building under construction near the Chatuchak Day Market, which we were at on our last day in the capital, collapsed and at least 6 people are missing and presumed dead.

We contacted Sek, our OAT Trip Leader through WhatsApp and he is safe and already back in Sukhothai on his next tour, though his family is still in Bangkok, reportedly safe. Sek is originally from Chiang Rai and says his family there was unaffected by the quake, although the quake and aftershocks were felt in most of Thailand’s provinces.

Chatuchak 
Day Market 

According to Thai officials, there was some damage to residential buildings, hospitals and temples in the north in Chiang Mai. I am currently writing about our visit to this walled city, once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. The only human casualties in Thailand have been at the Bangkok construction site.

Chatuchak 
Day Market

 Not sure if this is the same building that collapsed in Bangkok that's in the background.

THE WORLD RESPONDS

Humanitarian aid from China, Russia, South Korea, Malaysia, India and the United Nations have either sent rescuers and supplies or have provided money to help in the efforts. The United States has said the will help in the efforts as well.

This is still an extremely fluid situation, if I learn anything more, I will pass it on here.

Everywhere we have traveled a bit of that destination adds to our soul and it makes our hearts ache when disasters like this happen, especially so close to our leaving.

Pray for Thailand and Myanmar.

Flag of Myanmar

Love Janet and greg

© 2025 by Gregory Dunaj