After the 7.7 quake in Thailand: How prepared are Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam?

After the 7.7 quake in Thailand: How prepared are Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam?

The recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Thailand on March 28, 2025 sparked regional attention, especially in neighboring countries. But how did it impact public awareness and preparedness in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam? A recent Milieu Insight survey across these three countries reveals stark differences in experience, concern, and readiness for seismic events.

Lived experience varies sharply

Singaporeans are the least likely to have experienced an earthquake, with only 7% saying they had, compared to 24% in Malaysia and 31% in Vietnam. This aligns with geographical realities: Vietnam and Malaysia are closer to tectonic fault zones, while Singapore is relatively shielded.

Still, despite the lack of firsthand experience, Singaporeans were the most aware of the Thailand quake: 93% had heard of it, compared to 86% in Vietnam and 79% in Malaysia.

The news spreads differently

How people heard about the quake varied by country. In Vietnam, it was mostly through Facebook (78%) and TikTok (60%). Malaysians were similar, with 47% hearing from Facebook and 29% from TikTok.

But Singaporeans leaned heavily on traditional news outlets (57%)- and much less on social media, with only 15% citing TikTok.

Concern runs deeper where the ground feels less stable

Vietnamese respondents weren’t just more exposed to past quakes- they were also more concerned about future ones. 37% said the Thailand quake made them very concerned about earthquakes at home. In Malaysia, 30% said the same. In Singapore, that number drops to 14%.

It’s no surprise then that 22% of Singaporeans believe their country is at no risk of an earthquake. In Vietnam and Malaysia? Just 5% feel that way.

Preparing for something that feels far away

Preparedness levels echo this perception gap. Only 3% of Singaporeans feel very prepared for an earthquake, while 10% of Vietnamese and 9% of Malaysians say the same.

And when it comes to having an evacuation plan at home or work, the difference is stark:

• Vietnam: 37% have one
• Malaysia: 19%
• Singapore: Just 11%

Alerts (or the lack of them) reinforce mindsets

Singaporeans also report the fewest public alerts- 55% say they’ve never seen one. In Malaysia, that drops to 26%, and in Vietnam, just 16%.

The silence may explain why many Singaporeans feel unprepared. It could also be why fewer have taken steps like building an emergency kit- only 20% have supplies at home, compared to 28% in Malaysia and 27% in Vietnam.

Do people want the government to step in?

Across all three countries, there’s a call for greater government action, but the urgency differs. In Vietnam, 35% strongly agree that public awareness and readiness efforts need to improve. Malaysia follows at 33%, while Singapore trails behind at 14%.

If you build it, will they come?

If communities or workplaces offered earthquake drills or training, would people attend? In Vietnam, the answer is a resounding yes: 85% said they’d join. Malaysia saw 78% interest.

In Singapore, that interest dips to 60%- still a majority, but less enthusiastic.

The quiet before the shake

Vietnam’s story is shaped by experience. Malaysia’s by proximity. Singapore’s by insulation. But natural disasters don’t always follow the script.

The data suggests that awareness doesn’t always lead to action- and sometimes, the countries that feel safest may be the least prepared. As tectonic shifts ripple through the region, the question isn’t just if or when, but whether we’ll be ready when the ground moves under us.

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