My Earthquake Experience in Bangkok

Today, I experienced something I never thought I would have to face—an earthquake in Bangkok. What started as a normal day turned into a state of shock only hours later. The tremor hit around 1:25 PM, and at first, I honestly thought I was just feeling dizzy from my reading glasses. I took them off, checked, and put them back on—nothing seemed off. But then, the shaking got worse.

At first, it felt like a strong jolt, but soon, it became something much more intense. The pictures on my walls rattled, and I saw the door swing open by itself. My heart raced as I recalled the safety advice—hide under something sturdy. Without thinking, I dove under the table. The shaking was terrifying, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure what was happening. It was frightening.

I grabbed my housekeeper, who thankfully was with me today (otherwise, I would’ve been alone), and we rushed out of the building. My boyfriend is traveling, so it was just the two of us. We ran downstairs and waited in the open air for what felt like an eternity. Nearly four hours later, we were given the all-clear to return.

However, things didn’t calm down immediately. The building manager recommends that we not stay overnight due to the lack of official safety clearance. There was no guarantee the building was structurally safe after the quake. They needed an assessment and approval from local authorities before allowing residents to stay. It was a huge reminder of how fragile our sense of security can be and how quickly everything can change.

As I write this, it’s been almost ten hours since the earthquake, and I still feel like the ground is moving beneath me. It’s surreal. The feeling of unease is still with me, even though the tremors have stopped.

I’m counting my blessings that my family and I are safe, but I can't help but think of all the people affected, especially the children and families. My thoughts are with those in Myanmar as well, who are facing similar devastation.

I’ve never experienced something like this before. It was a wake-up call on how quickly life can turn upside down, and how we all need to stay prepared. It’s hard to imagine how those in affected areas are coping, but I’m hopeful that strength, safety, and recovery will come to them soon.

For now, I’ll hold on to the fact that I’m safe and continue to pray for all those impacted by the earthquake. Stay safe, everyone.

Read more at:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2989962/dozens-of-workers-trapped-in-collapsed-bangkok-high-rise

https://news.sky.com/story/myanmar-earthquake-latest-evacuations-in-bangkok-and-reports-of-buildings-collapsing-after-7-7-magnitude-tremor-13337088

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/we-have-to-get-out-singaporeans-recount-experiences-feeling-quake-tremors-in-bangkok

Images: 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/photo/2990036/quake-impacts-in-bangkok

May x

When Fresh Air Becomes a Luxury

Back in December, Bangkok’s weather was perfect—cool mornings, fresh air, and that “mini winter” feeling that made everything better. I heard it was even colder up north, but it already felt pleasantly cool for me, almost like summer back in the UK. I was running outdoors, taking long walks, and just enjoying how comfortable the city felt. It was the kind of weather that made you want to be outside. Some locals were even wearing winter jackets, which was quite comical, and a few asked if I was cold because I was still in my usual sportswear and shorts.

Then, I left Bangkok for a few days, heading back to Singapore and Penang for some errands. When I returned, I felt like I had stepped into a completely different city. While flying back into Suvarnabhumi Airport, I could already see the thick haze hanging in the air, blurring the skyline. The cool, refreshing weather was gone, replaced by a thick, suffocating smog that made everything feel dull and oppressive. Bangkok had changed—and not for the better.

The air got so bad that authorities started offering free rides on public transport, including the BTS Skytrain. At first, I was like, Yay! Free rides! But then I wondered—why were staff handing out free cards at the stations? When I asked around, locals told me the idea was to reduce car usage and lower emissions. A solid plan in theory, but in reality? The trains were packed. Bangkok’s BTS is always busy, but this was another level. Squeezing into a train during rush hour felt like a survival game. It was as if everyone had forgotten that Covid ever happened. And now that the free rides have ended, I’m not sure if they made any real difference. The air still feels just as bad.

As a runner, this haze has been a nightmare. Running outside is out of the question—unless I want to choke on pollutants. Running with a mask? Even worse. So, I’ve had to move my workouts indoors, swapping outdoor runs for gym sessions. I go to the gym for my PT sessions anyway, but it’s not the same. There’s something about running through the city, feeling the fresh air (or what used to be fresh air) that a treadmill just can’t replace.

I’ve been staying indoors as much as possible. Bangkok’s pollution levels have been hovering in the “unhealthy” range, and at this point, I would rather not risk it. My only real exposure to the haze is the 1.6km walk home from the train station; even that feels too much sometimes. It’s frustrating.

The free public transport initiative is over, but the pollution isn’t. Bangkok recently ranked among the most polluted cities in the world, and unless bigger changes happen, this isn’t going away anytime soon. For now, all I can do is take precautions—wear masks, stay indoors when possible, and hope that real solutions are on the way. But let’s be honest, we can’t keep hiding from the air forever. Something has to change.

Have you been struggling with the haze, too? How has it affected your daily routine? Let’s talk in the comments.

May x

My Journey in the Amazing Thailand Marathon 2024

Last Run of the Year. The Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok is an annual event held in Bangkok, and it's one that I've always looked forward to. Before COVID, it was usually held in February, and I'd participate every year. But like so many events, things changed after the pandemic, and the marathon was shifted to December. It's been years since I last ran this race because it always clashed with the Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon (SCSM). So, this year, I decided to skip SCSM and experience it again.

Photo credit AMTB 2024 Official Photographer: A crowd of runners

The race pack collection took place at Central World Life, and when I arrived, I was surprised by the long queue. Since it was a weekday morning and the first day of collection, I didn't expect such a large turnout. Despite the crowd, the process went smoothly, and everything was well-organised. There were several shops selling running shoes, sportswear, energy bars, and other race-related merchandise. It was a great experience, with plenty of options for runners to stock up on what they needed.

Fast forward to race day, I took a Grab over to MBK. The flag-off was at 2 am, and honestly, I wasn't fully prepared for this. I knew it was a bit reckless—jumping into a marathon without proper training, especially after recovering from a sprained ankle. But my goal was simple: survive and finish within six hours.

The start was chaotic, with both half and full-marathon runners starting together. I was in Pen 4, which meant a long walk to the starting line. As soon as the flag went off, we slowly began to move forward. However, with the timing tracker positioned further ahead, it took a while before I could actually start running at my own pace. The congestion made it challenging to find a rhythm early on. While the energy was great, the crowded start made it hard to settle in.

The event was well-organised, with water stations providing small bottles every 2 to 2.5 km. It was convenient and helped keep things clean, but it was not the most eco-friendly setup. Plus, it became a bit of a slipping hazard, with runners tossing bottles and caps without much care.

I hit a mental block earlier than usual—somewhere between 12 and 13 km. By the time we hit the 18 km mark, where the route split for the half and full marathoners, I seriously considered taking the shorter route. The temptation was real. But I reminded myself why I signed up for this and pushed on. From that point, it was a mix of running and walking along the elevated road, battling cramps in both my legs and stomach while trying to enjoy the experience.

When mental block hits, the sunrise reminds me to keep going. 

The sunrise might have been stunning, but the heat was no joke. 

By sunrise at 6:05 am, Bangkok's skyline was breathtaking, but the heat was brutal. By 6:45 am, it felt like I was being roasted alive. Still, I kept pushing forward, and after what felt like an eternity, I crossed the finish line at 5:23:14.

The finish line was a relief, but it also came with a bit of chaos. With runners from all categories finishing together, it got crowded, making it hard to navigate through the area. I had to squeeze around sweaty runners to make my way through. However, the post-race resting area was amazing, with a wide spread of food to refuel and recover, although it was packed with people trying to grab their share. Despite the chaos, it was all part of the experience, and it definitely made me appreciate the small victories of completing the race.

A huge shoutout to the Thailand Tri-league, the volunteers who kept us hydrated and motivated, and the photographers who captured every sweaty, determined moment.

It wasn't my smartest race, but I'm proud of myself for not giving up. Sometimes, it's not about perfect preparation or chasing PBs—it's about showing up, pushing through, and proving to yourself that you can do hard things.

What about you? Have you ever tackled a challenge you weren’t fully prepared for, but still managed to push through?

May x  

A Proud Finish: Garmin Run Asia Series 2024 Thailand

The Garmin Run Asia Series is a collection of running events held across different cities in Asia, bringing together runners of all abilities. From half marathons to 10Ks, it’s all about encouraging an active lifestyle and creating a sense of community. This year, I had the chance to take part in the Garmin Run Asia Series Thailand Half Marathon, and here’s how it went...

Race weekend kicked off with the Race Pack Collection the day before. The whole process was smooth and well-organised, making it easy for runners to collect their bibs and explore the event area. There were various stalls selling running gear, hydration products, and race merchandise, creating a lively atmosphere. One of the fun surprises was a mini challenge by Garmin, where runners could participate in a quick activity to win small prizes. I queued for about an hour, gave it a go, and won a Garmin cap—definitely worth the wait!

Then came race day.

Photo by Garmin Official Photographer: The energy at the start line was amazing!

I completed the Garmin Run Asia Series Thailand Half Marathon 2024 yesterday morning! It was a race I’d been looking forward to, especially after weeks of recovering from a sprained ankle. I wasn’t sure if I could run the whole distance, but I knew I wanted to be at that start line. Just being there at Rajamangala National Stadium, surrounded by thousands of runners, made me proud to have shown up—even if I ended up walking the entire way, which I had planned for in case my ankle acted up. With a COT of 3:30 hours, I knew I could still finish, even if it meant walking.

A huge thanks to my partner for waking up at an ungodly hour to drop me off at the venue. Having that support made all the difference. I started in Pen 1, which was both exciting and intimidating. Everyone around me looked focused and ready to race, and I felt the pressure creeping in. If I held back, I would probably get pushed along by the crowd, so when the gun went off, I just started running… and kept going.

I went into this race with only one goal—to finish safe and strong. Pace didn’t matter today; I just kept praying my ankle wouldn’t give me trouble, especially on the hilly sections. My mind kept calculating backup plans—worst case, I would walk. But surprisingly, my legs kept going. I only stopped briefly at the hydration stations for a quick sip before pushing on.

Photo by Garmin Official Photographer: Crossing that finish line was the best part of the race

The 21.1 km route took us through the streets of Bangkok, but it wasn’t the most scenic race I’ve done. What stood out, though, was the incredible organisation. The hydration stations were well-placed, the volunteers were encouraging, and the atmosphere was electric. But what do I love most about running in Thailand? The post-race experience. Finishing a race here isn’t just about crossing the timing mat—it’s a celebration. The post-run spread was next level—food, drinks, desserts—everything a runner could ask for after a long, exhausting run. I was so drained that I could barely decide what to eat first!

This race reminded me why I love running events—the adrenaline, the energy of the crowd, and the feeling of pushing through doubts to finish strong. It wasn’t my fastest race, but it meant a lot to me. Getting through it, despite my uncertainties, was a win in itself. Now, I can’t wait for the next one!

A massive thank you to Garmin Thailand for putting together such a well-organised event, the dedicated crew and volunteers for making everything run smoothly, and all the photographers for capturing all the race-day moments. You guys made this an unforgettable experience! You guys rock!

Now that it’s over, I’m left thinking about what’s next. What about you—have you ever pushed yourself in a way you didn’t expect? I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!

May x