BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand has dispatched military personnel and humanitarian supplies to Myanmar to assist in relief efforts following the 8.2-magnitude earthquake that struck the country’s central regions on March 28. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Phumtham Wechayachai presided over the deployment ceremony in Bangkok on Sunday (Mar 30), with the operation coordinated by the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters.
The 55-member mission, divided into eight specialized units, will support search and rescue operations, emergency medical care, damage assessments, and the evacuation of Thai nationals. The team will be active in areas most affected by the quake, including Mandalay, Naypyidaw, and Yangon. Colonel Khajornsak Phulpothong has been appointed to lead the mission under the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) framework.
Three Royal Thai Air Force flights are scheduled between March 30 and April 5 to transport and rotate personnel. Upon arrival, urban search and rescue teams will begin operations, medical teams will set up field clinics, and engineering units will assess structural damage to support longer-term recovery planning.
In addition to assisting Myanmar, Thai authorities have prepared evacuation protocols for Thai citizens residing in the affected regions. Coordination with Myanmar officials is ongoing to ensure the safe return of any Thai nationals requesting repatriation. Daily video briefings will be held to report progress and coordinate logistics with command centers in Thailand.
While the international mission proceeds, officials confirmed that domestic disaster response remains a top priority. Efforts continue in Bangkok and other provinces impacted by tremors, including ongoing rescue operations at the collapsed State Audit Office building. (NNT)
