Locals fled buildings in northern Thailand as a devastating earthquake shook the region today.

Video shows office buildings and schools being evacuated as the quake rattled Phayao province.

The local disaster prevention office said there were no reports of damage in the area, but urged residents to prepare for aftershocks.

The magnitude 7.7 quake sparked carnage across the capital Bangkok, with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declaring the city an emergency zone.

Local media reported that at least one worker was killed and 67 people were buried in a collapsed building in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok, yards from a bustling tourist market. Dozens are feared to have died in the collapse.

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

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

Many buildings were evacuated as they swayed in the rare quake.

Debris was seen falling from several high-rise buildings. Officials closed roads and evacuated buildings as they assessed the damage and prepared for aftershocks.