Trauma re-lived for Kiwis in Bangkok quake

Cantabrians Nathan Bool and his daughter Erin were on the 20th floor of the Grand Howard Hotel in Bangkok when the earthquake struck.

Although they were more than 1000km away from the epicentre, they still felt the earthquake significantly.

“Initially the quake felt like a gentle sway, but as it continued on the building moved left to right quite a lot more and also some twisting," Nathan said.

"Cracks started to appear in the walls … my daughter and I initially felt OK during the start of the quake but as it continued there was some more panic setting in of, 'what now?'…as soon as the quake stopped, we were out of there."

Less than 5km away, Tracey McCullough was staying on the 6th floor of the Montien Hotel Surawong.

“We were on the phone talking to family back home when the building started to move," she said.

"We knew exactly what was happening due to our experiences in Christchurch.

"The lights were swaying, the curtains were moving…the building moved well, it rolled with it, however it went on for what seemed like a lifetime.”

Tracey was at work in Heathcote when the Christchurch earthquake struck in February 2011. 

She said the Bangkok quake brought back feelings she had not thought she would encounter. 

Nathan also experienced both the Christchurch and Darfield quakes, and said the feeling in Bangkok was unlike anything he had previously encountered.

“This was different in the way it felt more rolling and swaying…less violent, but you could still sense the power that was with it.

“For my daughter, it definitely bought back a lot of memories.

"For myself I was more concerned for our safety and the unknown of what do we do now.”

Nathan considered changing their flights to an earlier date, but having only been in Bangkok for one day, the pair decided to move to a safer hotel and stay.

Nathan and Erin continued their stay with no problems, no sign of aftershocks or any damage where they were staying.

“The Thai people have been absolutely amazing and the tourists I’ve spoken to have been grateful to the local people as well.

"Life has continued on.”