Santi Pailoplee, a geology professor at the university's Faculty of Science, said that while scientists can assess areas at risk of earthquakes, it remains impossible to predict the exact times and locations, adding that any claims of warnings are considered fake news.

Startled residents were evacuated down staircases of high-rise condominiums and hotels in Bangkok. In Myanmar's Naypyitaw, the quake damaged religious shrines and some homes.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook Southeast Asia, causing widespread damage. These photos show the devastating impact.

Myanmar’s location between two tectonic plates – the India and Eurasia plates – places it at particular risk of quakes.

Rescue personnel search for casualties at the site of a building that collapsed after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, earthquake monitoring services

A major earthquake in Myanmar on Friday has caused more than 1,600 deaths and led to the collapse of numerous structures. Even though the south-east Asian nation is a high risk region for earthquakes, neighbouring Thailand and China - which were also affected by the quake - are not.

Photos show the aftermath of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that caused devastation in Southeast Asia including Bangkok, Thailand, and Myanmar.

Rescuers are desperately searching for survivors more than two days after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, toppling buildings as far away as the Thai capital Bangkok and sending tremors through nearby Chinese provinces.