Bangkok, March 30, 2025 – As the second night of search and rescue operations unfolds at the site of the collapsed 30-story building of the new Office of the Auditor General (OAG) in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, an unusual mix of onlookers has gathered. The structure, reduced to a flattened pile of rubble, succumbed to a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake centered in Mandalay, Myanmar, at approximately 1:20 PM on March 28. The disaster has left a devastating toll, with numerous casualties and missing persons reported.
According to Thai media, after a sweltering day with temperatures nearing 40°C (104°F), the scene transformed as night fell. Local residents, curious civilians, social media influencers, YouTubers, and TikTokers—both Thai and foreign—flocked to the site, joining professional media outlets and distraught relatives of the missing. Many have been livestreaming the ongoing efforts, broadcasting the tense atmosphere to audiences worldwide, their cameras positioned just beyond the barriers erected by authorities.
The earthquake, one of the strongest to affect the region in recent years, sent shockwaves across Thailand, with its effects keenly felt in the capital.
Journalists on the scene noted a lack of apparent crowd control at the command center, with no screening process to distinguish between media, relatives, and bystanders. This has created a chaotic environment, complicating the work of rescue teams and reporters alike in the confined space. Several media outlets have called for better organization, suggesting that authorities designate specific zones for the press, families, and officials to streamline operations.
The presence of social media influencers has added a modern twist to the tragedy. Armed with smartphones and portable lights, they narrate the unfolding events to followers, some offering prayers and updates, others speculating on the cause of the collapse. While their coverage has amplified global awareness, it has also sparked debate about the ethics of turning a disaster into content.
As of 12:15 AM on March 30, the latest figures from the joint command center paint a somber picture: 80 people remain unaccounted for, at least seven deaths have been confirmed, and eight individuals are injured. Rescue operations, involving emergency personnel, military units, and K9 teams, continue relentlessly through the night, their floodlights piercing the darkness as they comb through the debris.
