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Is it safe to travel to Thailand and is Bangkok airport open? Latest advice after Myanmar earthquake

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A7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at midday local time on 28 March, sending violent tremors across Thailand and as far as China.

The jolt caused a skyscraper to crumble in the Thai capital Bangkok, causing three deaths and leaving 81 people still missing under the rubble.

European governments have updated their travel advice for tourists in Thailand and with upcoming trips. Here’s what you need to know about safety and travel insurance.

State of emergency declared in six regions in Myanmar

The earthquake, whose epicentre was near the city of Mandalay in Myanmar, has caused dozens of buildings to collapse. Its shallow depth of 10 metres amplified the ground-level impact.

A 6.4 magnitude aftershock was also felt 12 minutes later near the city, the US Geological Survey reported, with tremors being felt as far away as Laos, Bangladesh and China.

Footage reportedly filmed inside Mandalay airport shows people running through dust-filled hallways and huddled on the floor outside the building for safety.

In the town of Taungoo in Myanmar, the partial collapse of a mosque killed two people, according to Reuters.

Local media reports that at least two people have died and 20 have been injured after a hotel crumbled in Aungban in the south of the country.

A state of emergency has been declared in six regions and states in Myanmar by authorities. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

 

There are likely many more casualties across the country, but its volatile political situation under a military-run government means journalists have restricted access and reports from the ground are difficult to verify.

A state of emergency has been declared in six regions and states in Myanmar by authorities.

In Bangkok, the tower block that came down was under construction. A rescue worker said seven people had been found alive but 81 people are still missing.

Authorities have reportedly received 169 calls about damage to buildings in the Thai capital. It has been declared a ‘disaster area’.

Hundreds of residents and tourists have been evacuated to the streets from high-rise buildings and hotels, while there are reports of water sloshing out of swimming pools in several parts of the city.

Is it safe to travel to Thailand?

Thailand is a tourism hotspot which is seeing a spike in visitors after the HBO series The White Lotus was set in a resort in the country.

After the earthquake rocked the capital Bangkok, urban rail and metro systems were temporarily closed and are expected to resume services on Saturday.

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport was briefly shut down in the immediate aftermath but has now reopened, with flights operating normally. Thailand’s other major airports have not experienced disruption.

Local authorities have advised the public to avoid high-rise buildings, which crowd the densely populated city.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Thailand.

Hundreds of residents and tourists have been evacuated to the streets from high-rise buildings and hotels Associated Press

 

“If you’re in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities or your tour operator and monitor local media,” it urges travellers.

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has updated its security status for Thailand to ‘high degree of caution’.

“We encourage citizens to follow the instructions of local authorities in the event of an emergency,” it has said.

There is also ongoing advice (unrelated to the earthquake) from the FCDO against all but essential travel to parts of south Thailand near the Thailand-Malaysia border.

This includes the Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat Provinces and the southern Songkhla Province south of the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom and south of the train line which runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar.

FCDO also advises against all but essential travel on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through these provinces. This is due to regular attacks in these areas by the border with Malaysia.

Is it safe to travel to Myanmar?

The FCDO has also issued updated advice for travellers in Myanmar, stating that the epicentre is in the Sagaing region near Mandalay, but other areas may also be affected.

“Mandalay airport is reportedly closed. There may be several strong after-shocks.

“If you’re in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media.”

Am I covered by travel insurance if I go ahead with my trip to Thailand?

The UK foreign office warns that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice. This means going to areas where it advises against all but essential travel.

As it has not issued a ‘no-go’ warning for earthquake-affected zones, you are not automatically entitled to a refund if you cancel your trip – referred to as ‘disinclination to travel’.

Reimbursement is only likely if your flight is cancelled by the airline or your accommodation is closed due to the earthquake.

If you have booked with a travel agent or tour operator, contact the company directly to understand your options.

“If you are travelling to Thailand over the next few days, speak to your airline or travel operator in the first instance. It may be that some regions of Thailand will be deemed unsafe to travel, in which case airlines will cancel flights, but disruption is likely to be localised so it will depend on which region you are travelling to,” says Ernesto Suarez, CEO of travel insurance providers Gigasure.

 “When disruption is caused by natural disasters or circumstances outside of an airline’s control, passengers are normally allowed to change their booking, but you may not be entitled to any additional compensation.

Some insurance policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents travellers from reaching their holiday destination. You should read the terms and conditions carefully and talk to your provider for advice.

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Nigeria does not deserve leader like Tinubu – Atiku on US court order to FBI

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar on Sunday said Nigeria does not deserve a leader like President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking through his Media Aide, Paul Ibe, the former Vice President said the world needs to know the president’s records, insisting that Nigeria does not deserve a leader with a tainted past like Tinubu.

Posting on X: Ibe wrote: “Just about time, the records of Tinubu, including his forfeiture of funds for alleged drugs trafficking and certificate at Chicago State University @ChicagoState, are made public.

“The Black nation’s most populous country does not deserve a leader with a tainted past.

“Whatever is being hidden inside must be unveiled. Nigerians and the rest of the world deserve to know. There must be full disclosure.”

Ekwutosblog reported that the United States, US, District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the Federal Bureau of Intelligence, FBI, to reveal Tinubu’s information.

 

Judge Beryl Howell gave the order on Tuesday.

The development followed a motion by Aaron Greenspan, an American who is seeking a reconsideration of an earlier ruling. Howell said protecting the information from public disclosure is “neither logical nor plausible.”

Greenspan had accused the FBI of violating the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by failing to release within the statutory time “documents relating to purported federal investigations into” Tinubu and one Abiodun Agbele.

Tinubu was claimed to have forfeited $460,000 to the American government in 1993 after authorities linked the funds to proceeds of narcotics trafficking.

But, the judge ruled in favour of Greenspan.

Responding, Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga said there is nothing new to reveal because the report by Agent Moss of the FBI and the DEA report have been in the public space for more than 30 years.

Onanuga said the reports did not indict the Nigerian leader.

Posting on X, Onanuga wrote: “Journalists have sought the Presidency’s reaction to the ruling last Tuesday by a Washington DC judge ordering the US FBI and DEA to release reports connected with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Our response is as follows.

“There is nothing new to be revealed. The report by Agent Moss of the FBI and the DEA report have been in the public space for more than 30 years.

“The reports did not indict the Nigerian leader. The lawyers are examining the ruling.”

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Army decries poor enlistment from SE, urges youths to join military

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The Nigerian Army has raised the alarm over the poor enlistment of South East youths into the military service, and called for a change of attitude to reverse the trend.

According to the Army, while Kaduna State had recorded over 3,000 applications in the ongoing 2025 recruitment exercise, Enugu State was still struggling with just a hundred, noting that the story was not different with other South East states.

It called on Enugu and South East youths to apply in their numbers in the ongoing 2025 recruitment exercise to fill their quotas.

The Army made the call in Enugu during an enlightenment town hall meeting with Local Government Council Chairmen, traditional rulers, Presidents-General of town unions, and other community and thought leaders at the weekend.

Leader of the 2025 Army Recruitment Enlightenment Team, Brigadier-General Chima Ekeator, said, “Our people are losing what rightly belongs to them. Each year, whenever a slot is being allocated to our people, we keep noticing that the number of applicants from our side is usually very poor.

“Take for example, Enugu State was given about 200 slots, but the people who made it were never up to 100 due to poor application. This has also become a recurring decimal in other states in the South East.

“Today’s statistics on the number of applicants show that Kaduna has about 3,000 applicants, while Enugu is still battling with about a hundred; and by the time we will be through with screening, you will not have enough to recruit from the state.”

He refuted the allegation that people of South East origin were being killed in their numbers in the Army because they were the first to be sent to the battle fronts. He added that the region was also holding strategic positions in the Army presently.

“There are a lot of falsehoods out there stating that the Igbo are being killed because they are the first to be sent to the battlefield. These things are not true. After all, we that are here have risen high in the Army and we are telling you that they are lies. Today in the Nigerian Army, our brother is one of the top commanders in charge of equipment. His name is Chibueze Ogbuabor,” he said.

Speaking, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, regretted that the problem had persisted despite the collective efforts to reverse the trend and called for a review of modes of advertising the opportunities and the need to provide more details about the benefits of serving in the Army.

“While seated here, I was just trying to conduct a very quick research and it appears this same problem is happening worldwide and militaries across the world are deploying more cutting-edge strategies for recruitment because we are talking about the new generation that you communicate in a different way from the past,” he stated.

He reiterated Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to ensuring that the state filled its quota, describing the military as a noble and highly respected profession across the world.

On his part, the Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, pledged even stronger cooperation of the Local Government Council, but called on the military high command to equally address any concerns of the people to make the service more appealing to the youths.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator, Presidents-General of Enugu State Town Unions, Hon. Arinze Ogbodo; former Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu and the traditional ruler of Nomeh Unataeze, Lieutenant Colonel Israel Mbah (rtd.), called on the youths to enlist in the Army, but stressed the need for more enlightenment.

“I was a military man before. I survived every war. I did mine and today I am a traditional ruler. So, I believe that our young people should join the force,” Lt. Col Mbah (Retd.) stated.

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Abia Judiciary Panel investigates alleged demolition of school building for NALDA project

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Concerned citizens of Okpu Umuobo ancient kingdom in Osisioma Ngwa LGA of Abia State have appeared before the Abia State Judiciary Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Government Properties and Funds over their petition on alleged encroachment on their school land by one Prince Paul Ikonne.

The community told the Panel that Ikonne allegedly chased the students of a school located in their area away and demolished the school structure to establish the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA in the place.

Speaking while defending the matter, the President, Okpu Umuobo Ancient Kingdom Concerned Citizens, Emeka Ahukanna alleged that the respondent barricaded the premises with soldiers, forced and students to use their community hall for teaching and learning.

The Okpu Umuogbo concerned citizens who told the Panel that they had petitioned the Chairman of the Osisioma Ngwa LGA, the Abia State Universial Basic Education Board, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, said the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and Governor Alex Otti have also been petitioned about the matter.

The community members alleged that a Commissioner in Abia State who was sent by Governor Alex Otti to visit the school on fact finding, was attacked by security personnel, even as they said the matter is before the Osisioma High Court.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Abia State Panel of Inquiry, Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe, Rtd, has closed the matter, saying that a message has been given to the respondent to appear before the Panel on the allegation leveled against him .

Justice Duruoha-Igwe said that recommendation has been reserved.

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