Footage shows how a sinkhole opened up on a road as an earthquake struck Bangkok, Thailand, this afternoon.

A large pit appeared on the Rama 3 Road in the capital city, forcing the route to be closed.

Across the city, terrified residents and workers ran into the streets after the quake caused buildings to sway at around 2:20 pm local time.

Debris was seen falling from several high-rise buildings.

While in the Chatuchak district of the city, an apartment block under construction collapsed burying at least 43 workers.

The US Geological Survey said the tremor struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles), and was centred in neighbouring Myanmar, around 50 kilometres (30 miles) east of Monywa City.