The Panic After The Storm
My Experience Of The Earthquake In Bangkok
Contents
Introduction
During The Earthquake
The Hours After
Concluding Remarks
Introduction
A few weeks ago, I was in Bangkok when aftershocks were felt from a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Sagaing, Myanmar. With an earthquake being something most don’t typically experience everyday, I decided to document what occurred in the aftermath.
During The Earthquake
I found myself in Bangkok’s Lumphini Park, stood on a jetty waiting to go on a pedallo. I suddenly got the sense of something unmistakably wrong. I was moving more than usual, but of course that could have been explained by the jetty I was on. The curiosity of this movement remained at the forefront of my mind, but I decided the water had suddenly decided to get rather choppy. But then I looked at the people around me. They also had looks of curiosity and fear on their faces. The water started to grow more aggressive, and the trees swayed.
This is how lucky I was to be where I was. In a park, you feel the Earth moving, but not the amplified effects of being in a building, or a skyscraper as many people were in Bangkok. It’s only when I looked up at these skyscrapers that I realised what was happening. In the distance, a skyscraper under construction had three cranes on top. These cranes used winches to pick up anything, and the cable attached to the winch was swaying aggressively. Thankfully, this building remained standing, but as videos emerged after the earthquake, it was seen that not all buildings were this lucky.
I’ve been describing how it felt as though you are on a travelator at the airport, but you’re not aware that you’re on one. You know the movement is occurring, because you feel it in everything around you, but its source at first is unknown. It’s only when you see the effects of it that you truly understand.
After the initial earthquake died down, there was a second. I was on the water when this one occurred, and so I actually didn’t feel it. The waves of the pond seemingly emulated the feeling of an earthquake, and so we only knew it was happening again when we were called back towards the jetty.
It’s at this point that the effects of such an occurrence are felt.
The Hours After
Lumphini Park started to fill up as people from the surrounding buildings flocked into the park for safety. It wasn’t known at this point whether we would more aftershocks, so we remained in the park.
I was then made aware of an unexpected consequence of the Earthquake. Usually, stalls around the edge of the park are more than plentiful to ensure that you have all the food and water you need. But when there was a rush and a panic in one area, suddenly the demand on the necessities these stores sell skyrockets. We were lucky to get a bottle of water, but they were soon gone as the 37C heat in Lumphini Park was being felt by all.
After spending some time in the park, it was mid-afternoon, which usually is when we would head back to our accommodation. But today, the roads were at a standstill, especially near Lumphini Park. Since we also needed more water, we decided to walk to try and find some.
Even a short walk in the heat was tough. It’s at this point that we discovered that every building was closed, we assumed due to a risk of aftershocks causing building damage. We were faced with the prospect of having to walk back over an hour away with no food and water.
After half an hour of walking, we came across an open university canteen. They had bottles of water, and a free water refilling station. They also had a wide array of food available. We were lucky to discover this, because over the next few hours, we saw many people sitting at the side of the road with dangerously low amounts of water sat in their bottles. After a short pit stop, we carried on.
We then came across yet another area where a crowd had gathered. This time, it was outside a convenience store, but because this was right in the city centre, everyone had seemingly chosen this store as one of the only open ones in the area. Entire sections of shelves were empty as I was reminded of the toilet roll hoarding that people undertook during the initial COVID panic. This wasn’t caused by misinformation, but by not knowing what was coming next. And that, it turns out, can be just as powerful.
To cut an ending short, we waited at the shop, gathered ample supplies and made the walk back to our accommodation. It was at this point that everything returned back to normal for us. We were able to have an evening meal, and headed to bed, waking up to relative normality the next day.
If I view my entire day experiencing the earthquake, I was lucky in more ways than one. Firstly, my location during the earthquake. Secondly, to be able to find water initially, and then again to find an open university canteen with both food and water. I was then lucky that once I returned to my hotel, it was open and we didn’t have to spend more time outside in the blistering heat.
What the day did highlight to be is the power of panic. We weathered the storm, which was the earthquake, but then had many other storms emerge as a second-order consequence. Many of us struggle to even consider these events that could emerge. When I was strolling peacefully through the park, it was completely out of my mind that an earthquake would hit and I’d suddenly struggle to find food and water, but that is what happened. I don’t say this to imply that we should always be prepared for earthquakes, but it did highlight the power a panic can cause, and how heavily we can sometimes rely on things outside of our control. Many people have been affected by this awful earthquake, but for most in Bangkok, the day after was a return to normal. In the moment when uncertainty arises, and we don’t know where or how to get access to the things we need, this panic can drastically affect our human psychology, especially if uncertainty turns to desperation. I was lucky to not reach this stage, but the lessons were made clear nonetheless.
Since the day of the quake, we have seen the severe damage it caused, which was unbeknownst to us at the time. Isn’t it strange how the earth can shake for a minute, but the consequences can linger for years?
Concluding Remarks
Thousands have been killed by the earthquake in Myanmar, and the UN reports that over 160,000 people have been displaced. Stories also continue to emerge from Bangkok, including the building collapse and the man who jumped over a sky bridge between two buildings to be reunited with his family. With Myanmar currently in a period of civil war, getting aid and rebuilding will likely be a lengthy process. The Chinese have called for a ceasefire in the country, but with so many groups competing for influence, this would be tough to negotiate. I hope those who need the help can get it.
If you want to help those suffering from this earthquake, you can donate at many charities, including UNICEF and the Red Cross.