According to Myanmar's Meteorology and Hydrology Department, the quake that hit Loimwe, some 56 km southeast of Kengtung, Shan state, occurred at 8:29 p.m. local time (1369 GMT). The US Geological Survey said that this was a magnitude-6.8 earthquake.  

The quake, with the epicenter only 10 km deep, struck along Myanmar's borders with Thailand and Laos, about 87 km from Thai northern city of Chiang Rai. A 5.4-magnitude aftershock hit the area two hours later.

The quake affected many areas in Myanamr, with it being felt strongly in the border town of Tachilek and slightly in Taunggyi, Bago, Shwegyin, Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay and Toungoo. It is reported that Tachilek authorities have advised people to stay out of their houses.

In Yangon, only people living in high-rise buildings slightly felt the quake, residents said, adding that some people have left their apartment buildings for safety.

The quake also affected a wide swath of land in Thailand, China and Vietnam, with a person killed in quake-caused collapse of a wall in Thai northern city of Chiang Rai.

Thai media also reported that the quake was felt in the country's capital Bangkok, a city some 772 km away, with buildings there seen shaking and swaying.