Main Takeaways
When a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Bangkok in March 2025, two Binance employees, just days from welcoming a baby, were forced to evacuate and reconsider their plans in real time.
Binance responded within hours, helping the couple relocate to safety and providing support through the birth of their child.
The operation highlighted the resilience of our people and our commitment to fast, human-centered support in moments that matter most.
On March 28, 2025, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook Southeast Asia, its tremors rattling Bangkok’s skyline and altering the course of many lives forever. For Binancians ZQ and DM, it was more than a terrifying natural disaster – it was the day their carefully laid birth plans crumbled.
ZQ and DM are a couple of Binance engineers who relocated to Bangkok in late 2023. At the time of the earthquake, they were preparing to welcome their first child: DM was 40 weeks pregnant. “The baby could have arrived at any moment,” said ZQ. “We were just trying to make it safely to the ground.”
Built for the Unexpected: The Couple’s Journey to Binance
ZQ joined Binance in September 2019, transitioning from his previous role as a stock Android developer at a securities firm. Referred by a friend, he passed three rounds of interviews and joined the fiat team before moving into Android infrastructure.
DM joined in May 2022. As part of her new role, she was required to relocate to Thailand. The couple made the move together in the second half of 2023, excited to start their new chapter, personally and professionally.
Together, they were just settling into their life in a Bangkok high-rise when the earthquake struck.
The Life-Shattering Earthquake
The Binance couple moved into a 15th floor apartment of the One9Five tower in Bangkok, a 61+ floor complex. The building was designed such that effectively, they lived on the 18th floor.
That fateful afternoon, ZQ, relaxing on his annual leave, was napping peacefully when DM woke him up. The windows were shut, but the chandelier swung and the floors shifted underfoot.
“I thought maybe the wind was strong,” ZQ recalled. “Then I heard the crackling noises and saw the room swaying.”
Cracks later appeared throughout their apartment. Glass in the bathroom shattered. Tiles fell. Their baby's essentials – crib, diapers, bathing gear – were damaged or lost. The apartment was no longer safe.
They had seconds to decide what to do. With DM nine months pregnant, they knew they couldn’t run fast. But they had to try.
With his mother also present, ZQ helped DM down 15 flights of stairs, each step a test of courage. “Time moved so slowly,” he said. “The building was groaning. I kept looking at the floor numbers. We just had to make it to the ground.”
Binance’s Response That Helped Deliver a Miracle
That same afternoon, Binance’s HR and Admin teams contacted the couple as they were checking on each employee who could have been affected by the disaster. Despite communication delays due to a weak signal, they managed to reach the couple within a couple of hours. Understanding the urgency, Binance colleagues immediately arranged for a hotel room near a hospital.
It was a safe, seven-story building, located just meters away from the medical facility. “I checked the room carefully,” said ZQ. “No cracks. If anything happened, we could walk to the hospital in minutes. That gave us peace of mind.”
The hotel was fully covered, and they stayed there for more than two weeks.
“I didn’t even have proper clothes on when we left the apartment; just a sweatshirt and underwear,” said ZQ. “But the Binance team was there for us.” He then climbed back up to their damaged apartment to retrieve essentials: passports, work devices, and phones.
Three days after relocation to the hotel, DM began to feel abdominal pain. She was admitted to the hospital that afternoon, and by 9 p.m., the baby was born.
Resilience in Action
Throughout the emergency, dedicated Binance teams stayed closely connected with the couple; checking in, offering support, and ensuring they had everything needed to navigate both the aftermath of the earthquake and the arrival of their child.
“When people ask about Binance’s culture, this is what I think of,” ZQ said. “In a crisis, people didn’t hesitate. They took action. That made all the difference.”
Now, with their newborn safely in their arms and life slowly returning to normal, they reflect on what this moment meant.
This wasn’t just an earthquake survival story. It was a story that reflects Binance’s culture of rapid, human-centered action, the resilience that runs deep not just in our processes, but in our people. Whether facing uncertainty or navigating the unexpected, Binancians move forward with focus, adaptability, and strength.
A New Chapter for a Happy Family
“He’s 52 cm tall, cries when hungry, and stares into the distance like a little philosopher,” says ZQ with a smile.
As new parents, the Binance couple embraced a deeper sense of responsibility and gratitude. “This experience changed how I see life,” he said. “Never, ever give up. Believe that good things will come.”
The Binance miracle baby. Source: Binance.
At Binance, resilience isn’t just about systems – it’s about people. And when the ground shakes, we don’t stand still. We move with care, speed, and purpose. Even amid aftershocks and shattered glass, life finds a way to bloom. And when it does, we make sure our people are not alone.
