The 30-story tower being built in Bangkok to house the State Audit Office collapsed into rubble in seconds when a 7.7-magnitude quake struck Myanmar on March 28, killing thousands of people there.
The junta had initially declared a temporary ceasefire from April 2 to 30 to accelerate rescue and resettlement operations following the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28.
Yunyong Thaicharoen, chief economist at the SCB Economic Intelligence Centre (EIC), a research unit of Siam Commercial Bank, was quoted by the Thai media as saying that the disaster is forecast to result in an economic loss of around 30 billion THB over the next 3-4 months.
The SAO building, valued at 2.1 billion THB (61.4 million USD), had been under construction for approximately five years and was nearing completion. It was the only building in Bangkok to collapse as a result of the powerful earthquake in Myanmar.
Vietnam’s military rescue team swiftly launched search and rescue operations in Bala Tidi residential area, Zabu Thiri district, Naypyidaw, Myanmar on March 31 after thorough preparations.
In response to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of National Defense swiftly dispatched a delegation to provide aid.
Following this meeting, the Vietnamese rescue team will proceed to Mandalay, located around 200 km from Naypyidaw, which is the epicentre of the most severe damaged area, with thousands of residents still trapped under rubble.
Starting from March 31, the Vietnamese forces will commence search and rescue operations in the affected areas, while relief supplies will be distributed to communities in need.
A 26-member emergency response team from the Ministry of Public Security led by Colonel Nguyen Minh Khuong, Deputy Director of the Police Department of Fire Fighting, Fire Prevention and Rescue (C07) will arrive in Myanmar on March 30 night for earthquake relief efforts.
The Vietnam People's Army (VPA)'s earthquake relief team is equipped with essential supplies, medical provisions, six sniffer dogs, and 60 tonnes of humanitarian aid. This mission aims to reaffirm the VPA’s dedication to international cooperation and its disaster response capability.