Singaporean Star Dasmond Koh Shares Harrowing Tale from Bangkok Earthquake

In an unexpected turn of events, Singaporean television host Dasmond Koh recently shared his heart-pounding experience amidst the chaos caused by an earthquake while working in Bangkok. Koh, the 53-year-old co-founder of NoonTalk Media, was in Thailand for a sportswear launch party on March 27, along with his talented team of artistes, including actress Angel Lin and actors Kevin Tan and Yang Yan.

Just a day after their arrival, on March 28, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, sending shockwaves across the border into Thailand. Koh detailed the ordeal in a social media post after safely returning home to Singapore, expressing his gratitude to the sportswear brand Asics for their support during this harrowing time.

He shared a group photo of his team, capturing their collective experience, and reflected on the unpredictability of life: “What an experience it has been – never did we expect to feel the tremors of an earthquake while in the city,” he wrote. Koh also extended his sympathies to those who endured the brunt of the disaster, highlighting the importance of resilience and healing.

Tragically, the earthquake claimed the lives of at least 1,600 people in Myanmar and left 17 dead in Thailand. Koh revealed to Lianhe Zaobao, a Chinese newspaper, that the NoonTalk team planned to attend the launch party scheduled for that same evening. However, their lunch at Gaysorn Village, a bustling lifestyle hub, turned into a frightening ordeal when aftershocks hit Bangkok.

Koh recalled experiencing a sudden dizzy spell during lunch, which he initially dismissed as a personal feeling. Shortly thereafter, others in the restaurant began to voice their concerns about the shaking. With a hanging light fixture swaying ominously above them, Koh and his teammates chose to ride out the tremors for a few more minutes amidst the growing unease of other diners, many of whom evacuated.

The moment came when a South Korean artiste dining with them urged the group to seek safety outside. They congregated in an open-air area for nearly 45 minutes, where it became clear just how serious the situation had become. “Someone told us that the building we were in was swaying obviously from the outside, and that’s when we realised how bad things were,” Koh reported.

Once it was safe to move, they made their way to a nearby hotel, where staff were distributing water bottles to those affected by the disruption. With train services halted and shops closed, the team opted to walk back to their hotel, bringing their own hair-raising adventure to an end.

This earthquake isn’t the first time Koh has found himself in the midst of a crisis while abroad. He recounted a previous experience in December 2024 in Seoul, where he, along with colleagues Tan and Yang, faced an emergency declaration of martial law by South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol.

As Koh’s recent encounter underscores, life is filled with unpredicted twists and turns that remind us of our vulnerability. It serves as a stark reminder that nothing should be taken for granted.