Earthquake Hits Myanmar, Tremors Felt in Bangkok

On Friday, a severe earthquake struck Myanmar, leaving widespread devastation. With an epicenter in Myanmar, the quake not only wreaked havoc locally but also affected neighboring Thailand. The tremors from the quake were so powerful that they were felt over 600 miles away in Bangkok.

In Bangkok, the Park Origin Thonglor condo complex, where Kwon was located, also suffered damage. Despite the panic and destruction, Kwon found himself in a position where daring action seemed the only way to ensure his family's safety.

Kwon Young Jun's Brave Decision Amidst Chaos

At the time of the earthquake, Kwon was exercising on the 52nd floor of the Park Origin building. His wife, Sukanya Yutuam, a 35-year-old beauty influencer known as Ms Bowyuri, and their baby daughter were across a 600ft skybridge in an adjacent tower on the 30th floor.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Kwon saw the collapsing skybridge as the only route to reach his beloved family. Without a second thought, he decided to jump across the shattered bridge that connected the two buildings amidst the quaking terror.

Miraculous Survival and Family Safety

Against all odds, Kwon made the jump successfully and with only minor injuries—a few scratches proving the perilous nature of his act. However, upon reaching his family’s location, he discovered that they had already evacuated the building.

He then made his way down more than 40 floors, eventually finding his wife and daughter safe outside the building. His immediate thoughts during the ordeal were focused solely on rescuing his family. "All I could think about was getting back down to the room to save my wife and child," said Kwon.

Impact of the Earthquake: A Regional Disaster

The earthquake led to severe casualties and damage. Myanmar state television reported a tragic toll: 2,886 people killed, 4,639 injured, and 373 missing as of Wednesday. In Bangkok, the tremors caused substantial structural damage, including the collapse of a high-rise under construction that resulted in at least 20 fatalities.

Despite the damage, the developers of Park Origin claimed the buildings are structurally sound, crafted to withstand such extreme conditions. They noted that the skybridge was intentionally designed to detach during events such as earthquakes to prevent further destruction.

Reflections from the Family on the Terrifying Experience

Sukanya voiced her shock upon witnessing the footage of her husband’s risky leap. "It’s very dangerous. When I saw the clip, I was shocked like everyone else. No one was at their most mindful. Instinct took over and he jumped across the buildings," she recounted.

"My husband always thinks about his family first, no matter what he does, to the point where he forgets that crossing over to another building is very dangerous. I did not choose the wrong person," Sukanya added, expressing her admiration and love for Kwon's selfless act.