The death toll from a massive earthquake in Myanmar has passed 1,000, the ruling junta said on Saturday, with more than 2,000 injured, according to AFP.
Here are 5 things travelers need to know:
Thailand airports are operational
Thailand’s key airports are functioning as usual, with most incoming and outgoing flights experiencing minimal interruptions, according to The Independent.
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Women use their phones in Bangkok as hundreds of people poured out of buildings in the Thai capital after the tremors. Photo by Reuters |
On Friday, Airports of Thailand – the country’s airport operator – announced that it had completed the inspections of six airports.
It confirmed that the structural integrity of their buildings and aviation infrastructure meets safety standards.
All airports returned to regular operations by 2:30 p.m.
The airports inspected include Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, Chiang Mai Airport, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai Airport, Phuket Airport, and Hat Yai Airport.
FlightRadar’s flight tracking data shows that the majority of flights landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok’s primary hub, are on schedule, with only a few delays, and very rare instances of cancellations or diversions.
Regarding departures, most flights have taken off, though some have faced delays exceeding a couple of hours.
Suvarnabhumi Airport advised passengers, in light of the earthquake, to check traffic updates beforehand and allocate additional travel time to ensure they would not miss their flights.
The airport suggests arriving at least three hours prior to international flights and two hours before domestic ones.
Bangkok rail links are suspended
All urban rail systems were suspended and roads were gridlocked in Thailand’s capital Bangkok, according to Reuters.
Worapa Angkhisirisap, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in London said: “MRT Blue and Purple Lines are temporarily suspended.
“BTS Skytrain is also temporarily suspended due to emergency protocols.”
Additionally, the rail connection to Rangsit in the northern suburbs “could experience delays due to ongoing structural checks on elevated tracks.”
Myanmar’s Mandalay airport is shut down
Mandalay International Airport, located near the earthquake’s epicenter, has been closed after suffering structural damage.
The airport’s air traffic control tower has reportedly collapsed, killing at least five people.
Social media videos captured passengers at Mandalay Airport ducking and seeking shelter on the tarmac during the earthquake.
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People gather on a street after a strong earthquake struck, in Mandalay, Myanmar, March 28, 2025. Photo by Reuters |
Aftershock warnings
The U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has revised its travel guidance for Thailand following the earthquake.
“There may be aftershocks. If you are in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities or your tour operator and monitor local media,” its advice states.
For Myanmar, the FCDO added that the earthquake’s epicenter lies in the Sagaing region near Mandalay City, though impacts may extend elsewhere.
“Mandalay airport is reportedly closed, and multiple strong aftershocks could occur. If you are in the area or planning a trip, follow local authority advice and keep an eye on local media.”
Refunds not guaranteed
Since the Foreign Office has not advised against non-essential travel due to the protests, no special provisions exist for canceling trips with a full refund.
Cancelation terms will hinge on the policies of each holiday provider.
Simon Calder, The Independent’s travel correspondent, explained: “If the Foreign Office imposes a warning against travel, it requires tour operators – Tui, Jet2, easyJet Holidays, etc – immediately to bring back holidaymakers. That is why a ‘no-go’ decision is very rarely made.”
There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings even if customers cancel, and customers will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless the Foreign Office advice changes.
