Passengers were evacuated from a Thai airport as a powerful earthquake caused chaos in the region.

Footage shows worried travellers being ushered out of Chiang Mai International Airport in northern Thailand today, March 28.

The airport, which caters to millions of domestic and international tourists, halted operations as a precautionary measure.

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 the Thai capital, 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.