Earthquake leaves Kolkatans in Bangkok rattled, home-bound flight fares up three times
Times of India | 29 March 2025
KOLKATA: Kolkatans in Bangkok were left dazed on Friday as the city erupted in chaos after an earthquake in the Thai capital turned under-construction high-rises into rubble and trapped people in buildings that collapsed. Residents thronged the streets as the Thai govt declared an emergency to tackle the situation.
Flight fares from Bangkok to Kolkata shot up to three-times the usual as holidayers made a beeline to return home. Anjani Dhanuka of Travel Agents' Association of India and Anil Punjabi of Travel Agents' Federation of India said agents in Kolkata were trying to help make the return arrangements.
"Bangkok is like a second home. There are 6-7 daily flights between the two cities. While the one-way fair usually hovers around Rs 10,000-Rs 12,000, it shot up to Rs 30,000-Rs 32,000 by Friday evening," said Dhanuka.
Horrendous visuals emerge from Mandalay city as earthquake hits Myanmar
Businessman Sanjay Cha-ubey, who lives in a high-rise on Diamond Harbour Road and is currently in Bangkok with wife Sulochana, was exiting Platinum Mall at Pratunam in central Bangkok when the walkway began to shake. Sanjay saw water from the infinity swimming pool at a high-rise drop like a waterfall.
After the quake, people streamed out of buildings, crowding the streets; traffic came to a halt, as did the skytrain and underground services. The Chaubeys walked the 3 km to their service apartment in Sukhumvit Soi 20 but had to wait outside till past 8 pm local time along with other residents and tourists in the neighbourhood as there were aftershock warnings.
Travel agent Gurbani Gautam from Bhowanipore who has settled in Bangkok, rushed to Bangkok from Pattaya City where he was inspecting hotel facilities for an 800-member group tour.
"My wife got stuck in traffic till late on Friday," said Gautam, who lives near Suvarnabhumi Airport.
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