Bangkok’s Infinity Pools Turn Into Waterfalls as 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Luxury Hotels

Bangkok’s Infinity Pools Turn Into Waterfalls as 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Luxury Hotels

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 29, 2025

A catastrophic 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Thailand on March 28, 2025, sending shockwaves through Bangkok’s skyline. Among the most dramatic visuals of the disaster were the city’s famous rooftop infinity pools overflowing, creating waterfall-like cascades from heights of up to 60 stories. Viral videos captured the moment water poured down high-rise buildings, leaving guests scrambling for safety.

How the Tremors Turned Infinity Pools into Waterfalls

As the earthquake shook Bangkok, the movement of seismic waves caused rooftop pools to act like massive liquid pendulums. The water, unable to remain contained, surged over the edges, transforming serene infinity pools into uncontrolled torrents.

“I was in the Sky Bar when everything started to shake. The pool water began rolling like an ocean wave before it simply… went over the edge,” said Emma Sullivan, a tourist at the Lebua State Tower. “People were screaming, trying to grab their belongings before rushing toward stairwells.”

Luxury Hotels Most Affected

Several of Bangkok’s premier hotels saw their rooftop pools emptied within minutes due to the tremors:

  • Banyan Tree Bangkok (61st floor infinity pool) – Witnessed dramatic water overflow, captured in viral footage.

  • Waldorf Astoria (16th-floor pool deck) – Experienced rapid water loss and structural damage.

  • Bangkok Marriott Marquis (9th-floor pool) – Suffered complete pool drainage within moments.

Eyewitness James Chen, who filmed the incident at Banyan Tree, described the chaos: “The water was literally shooting off the edge like a waterfall. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

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Safety Concerns and Structural Damage

The unexpected flooding created several dangerous situations:

  • Slip hazards – Waterlogged rooftop floors increased the risk of falls.

  • Crowd panic – Guests rushed towards exits, leading to near-stampedes.

  • Electrical dangers – Water seeped into lighting and electrical systems.

  • Structural stress – Some buildings suffered internal water damage, with potential long-term consequences.

Preliminary engineering assessments reveal that five major hotels experienced electrical failures, and at least two properties may have sustained structural weakening.

“Water intrusion at these heights can cause progressive damage that isn’t immediately visible,” warned Dr. Suchinda Pattanapong of the Thailand Building Safety Institute. “Saltwater from pools is particularly harmful to concrete reinforcement and electrical systems.”

Tourist Safety Guidelines for Future Earthquakes

In the wake of this disaster, safety experts have issued urgent advice for travelers staying in high-rise hotels:

  • Evacuate pool areas immediately at the first sign of tremors.

  • Use stairs, not elevators, to exit buildings.

  • Stay away from windows and fragile glass structures.

  • Keep emergency kits with essentials like passports, medication, and water.

Tourism and Business Impact

The earthquake struck as Bangkok was hosting its annual Motor Show, showcasing Chinese EV brands, creating an unusual contrast between disaster-stricken tourism and ongoing commercial activities. As Thailand begins recovery efforts, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of natural disasters—even in the most luxurious settings.

With cleanup efforts underway, the haunting imagery of Bangkok’s waterfall-like infinity pools will remain a lasting symbol of the earthquake’s force and the urgent need for improved seismic safety in high-rise hospitality.


Germany Plans to Roll Back Air Traffic Tax Hike Amid Airline Pressure

Germany Plans to Roll Back Air Traffic Tax Hike Amid Airline Pressure

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 22, 2025

Germany is considering a reversal of the air traffic tax hike introduced in May 2024, according to a report by Bild. The move comes amid growing pressure from airlines and concerns over high operational costs at German airports. The current coalition government plans to discuss the matter during the preparation of the 2026 budget.

The tax increase raised the surcharge for short-haul flights from €12.48 to €15.53 per ticket. This has been widely criticized by airlines, especially low-cost carriers like Ryanair, which claim that the added costs are making air travel to and from Germany less attractive. International airlines have also hinted at scaling back their operations in response to the high fees.

Christoph Ploss, the government's tourism policy coordinator, has been vocal in calling for a change. “The increase in air traffic tax must be cancelled, and charges at German airports must also be reduced,” he told Bild. He further noted that the tax hike made holidays more expensive for millions of Germans. “A well-deserved holiday in Mallorca must not become unaffordable,” he added.

Germany’s transport ministry reportedly supports the reversal and sees it as a step toward reducing financial strain on the aviation sector. The coalition government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has expressed a commitment to easing the burden on the travel industry, although no official timeline has been provided yet.

The announcement briefly lifted Lufthansa’s stock by 2.2%, reflecting positive sentiment from the market. Ralph Beisel, head of the ADV airports association, also welcomed the potential policy change. “A reorientation of aviation policy is needed in our country,” he said, calling the reversal “a first and urgent step in the right direction.”

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is expected to present the draft budget for 2026 in the coming week. While economic challenges and increased defence spending are putting pressure on the national budget, businesses and industry watchers are closely monitoring the government's next steps in offering relief to the aviation sector.


Emirates Launches 'Emirates First' Check-in for First Class Flyers at DXB

Emirates Launches 'Emirates First' Check-in for First Class Flyers at DXB

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 21, 2025

Emirates has unveiled 'Emirates First', a new premium check-in zone at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, offering a private and elevated experience exclusively for its First Class travellers and Skywards Platinum members.

Just steps from the dedicated Emirates entrance, the new facility is designed to mirror the airline’s First Class luxury—with interiors featuring marble finishes, gold and bronze accents, and plush seating areas. The space is intentionally free of digital signage to maintain a calm, lounge-like atmosphere. Instead, the check-in process is handled via iPads or at elegantly crafted counters, providing a personalised, tech-enhanced experience.

The zone also includes family-friendly seating, allowing one member to complete formalities while others relax. Luggage is seamlessly routed through dedicated First Class belts for smoother transfers.

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“Emirates First reflects our continued investment in luxury travel,” said Adel al Redha, Deputy President & COO, Emirates. “It offers privacy, efficiency, and comfort at every step of the journey.”

Post check-in, passengers can proceed directly to the First Class lounges for à la carte dining, spa treatments, shopping concierge services, and more.

This initiative is part of Emirates’ broader First Class upgrades, which include Robert Welch caviar bowls, curated wine pairings, and a more refined onboard service. With over 26,800 First Class seats available weekly, Emirates continues to set the standard for top-tier travel experiences.


EU Proposes Tripling Digital Travel Permit Fee to 20 Euros

EU Proposes Tripling Digital Travel Permit Fee to 20 Euros

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 21, 2025

Foreign travellers heading to Europe may soon have to pay nearly three times more for the region’s new digital travel permit. The European Union has proposed increasing the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) fee to 20 euros (approx. USD 23), a steep rise from the originally planned 7 euros.

This change, unveiled by the European Commission, comes as the EU aims to adjust for inflation, operational demands, and to better align the permit cost with global equivalents. For instance, the U.S. charges USD 21 for its ESTA, while the UK’s ETA costs 16 pounds (around USD 21).

Expected to roll out in the last quarter of 2026, ETIAS will be mandatory for travellers from visa-exempt countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, entering any of the 27 EU member states (excluding Ireland) as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The permit will be valid for three years.

While travellers aged under 18 or over 70 will be exempt from paying the fee, others will need to apply online before their trip. The system is intended to enhance border safety by identifying security risks, irregular migration, and other concerns in advance, making travel both safer and smoother for eligible visitors.

The European Parliament and member states now have two months to review this fee adjustment. Once approved, it will go into effect with the launch of the ETIAS system, which has already seen multiple delays, largely due to its link with a yet-to-be-implemented automated border control system.

This proposal comes amid the EU’s broader financial plan, including a two-trillion-euro long-term budget (2028–2034), which aims to fund priorities like defence and agriculture. Brussels hopes to raise funds through new revenue tools such as a carbon border tax and an e-waste levy, targeting 58 billion euros annually.

As the EU moves to strengthen both financial sustainability and border security, the updated ETIAS fee stands as a key piece of its evolving travel and economic framework.

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