The Philippine Embassy in Thailand has assured the public that no Filipino fatalities have been reported following the powerful earthquake that struck parts of Thailand and Myanmar on Friday.
In an official statement released Saturday, the Embassy debunked circulating false reports claiming that 10 Filipinos had died in the disaster.
“There is no truth to these reports. As of now, the Embassy has received no information regarding any Filipino nationals harmed by the earthquake,” the statement read. Officials emphasized that they continue to closely monitor the situation and remain ready to assist any Filipinos who may require urgent help.
Filipinos in the region were reminded to stay informed through verified news sources and avoid sharing unverified or misleading information.
Large Filipino community in Thailand safe
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), approximately 29,000 Filipinos reside in Thailand, while about 611 are registered in Myanmar.
DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega clarified that Filipino communities in both countries were largely unaffected. “Most Filipinos in Bangkok don’t live in high-rise buildings, which were evacuated after the quake. And in Myanmar, our nationals are mostly based in Yangon or Naypyidaw — areas far from the epicenter,” De Vega explained in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
He noted that although panic was evident on the streets of Bangkok after the tremor, no injuries or casualties involving Filipinos have been recorded.
Philippines prepared to send aid
The Philippine government has placed emergency response teams on standby to assist if necessary. While sending medical teams remains an option, De Vega indicated that any aid would likely come in the form of financial or food assistance, depending on the needs expressed by the affected countries.
Three Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (PEMAT) under the Department of Health are on alert for deployment.
“Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa has directed the PEMATs to prepare for possible deployment, pending official requests and the completion of international coordination protocols,” said DOH spokesperson Dr. Albert Domingo.
On-the-fround accounts from Filipinos
Ferdinand Noora, a Filipino teacher based in Satun district, described the confusion and lack of preparedness among locals. “Thais aren’t used to earthquakes, so there was a clear sense of uncertainty about what to do. The government responded quickly, but general public awareness seemed lacking,” he said.
Noora also raised concerns about the structural integrity of some buildings in Thailand, suggesting they may not be adequately designed to withstand strong earthquakes.
Meanwhile, Filipino tourists also experienced the tremor firsthand. Social media content creator Idol MOTO documented her experience, describing the moment she and others rushed out of a mall in panic. “We were supposed to fly to Krabi, but after the quake, we heard flights might be canceled. We were also really worried about potential aftershocks, which were expected to be even stronger,” she said.
Filipinos in Myanmar needing urgent assistance can contact the Philippine Embassy via its Assistance-to-Nationals hotline at +95 998 521 0991. For those in Thailand, the hotline is +66 81 989 7116.
About the earthquake
The United States Geological Survey reported that a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, on Friday afternoon. The tremor occurred at a shallow depth and was followed minutes later by a significant 6.4-magnitude aftershock, sending tremors across the border into Thailand and causing temporary chaos in urban centers like Bangkok.
Authorities in both countries continue to assess the full extent of the damage as aftershocks remain a concern.
