Bangkok felt like it erupted into chaos when the tremors hit.

No one knew what was happening and there was no warning.

In a city where lives are lived, there were suddenly incongruous sights in the sky – pools overflowing, high-rise walkways connecting expensive apartments broken apart, and huddles of confused and scared people outside offices.

The busy skytrain that millions rely on in Thailand‘s capital was shut down, bringing the city to a grinding halt and people struggling to move around.

Read more: Dozens die in Myanmar quake – as 100 missing in Bangkok

My producer Rachael and I had to share a motorbike to try and get to the scene of the worst building collapse – a slow route through gridlocked traffic.

On arrival, the devastation was clear. A mass of rubble, a sea of rescue workers, and panicked onlookers.

We were told that 90 construction workers were still trapped inside.

One of the men trying to rescue them told me he had heard some voices and was hopeful they would be able to pull people out alive.

But he acknowledged it was “very difficult” work and, as he spoke, we were engulfed with dust, the light already fading as specialist bulldozers were brought in.

Many of those inside, we were told, were Cambodians about to finish building the structure.

Why no warnings?

As the rescue effort continued, Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra suddenly arrived.

I asked her why there were no warnings – in a nation that 20 years ago suffered a devastating earthquake.

She did not respond.

But many will no doubt continue to press her government on why there was no emergency alert system, no texts, nothing. Not for hours after, at least.

Read more from Sky News:
Latest updates on earthquake
Eyewitnesses describe quake hitting Myanmar and Bangkok

On the ground, Bangkok felt like a city caught off guard.

There are now fears of aftershocks – as the government moves quickly to try and reassure its people there will be warnings next time.

But in a place where the skyline is dominated by high-rise apartments, buildings and offices, there is a feeling of vulnerability now.

And there are questions about the integrity of their structures and what can be done to protect a population of more than 17 million people.

JD Vance has told Denmark it has “not done a good job” with Greenland during a visit to the territory – as President Donald Trump repeated his call for the US to take over the island.

Vice President Vance, his wife Usha and other senior US officials arrived at an American military base in Greenland, the semi-autonomous territory that has been a part of Denmark for more than 600 years.

Follow latest: Key takeaways from Vance’s speech in Greenland

“Our message to Denmark is very simple: you have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” Mr Vance said.

“You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people.

“We need to ensure that America is leading in the Arctic.”

Shortly before Mr Vance spoke from Greenland on Friday, Mr Trump continued his threats of taking over the territory, saying: “We need Greenland, very importantly, for international security.

“We have to have Greenland. It’s not a question of you think we can do without it – we can’t.”

Lars-Christian Brask, deputy speaker of the Danish parliament, told Sky News that Mr Vance was “not welcome” by Greenlanders on his visit.

“It’s a NATO country demanding a piece of another NATO country, which is highly unusual and there is a lack of respect,” he said.

The one-day visit to the US Space Force outpost at Pituffik – located on the northwest coast of the territory – has avoided violating potential diplomatic taboos of a state sending a delegation to another country, without an invitation.

The trip had been scaled back after locals were angered that the original itinerary was made without consulting them – particularly in light of Mr Trump’s repeated claims that the US should control Greenland.

Speaking to soldiers at the US base, Mr Vance claimed Denmark – and Europe by extension – has failed to protect the region.

He said: “This place, this base, this surrounding area, is less secure than it was 30-40 years ago, as some of our allies have not kept up…

“Europe (has) not kept pace… with military spending, and Denmark has not kept pace in devoting the resources necessary to keep this base, to keep our troops, and in my view to keep the people of Greenland safe from a lot of aggressive incursions from Russia, China, and other nations.”

Mr Vance said Mr Trump was “a president of peace”, adding: “We respect the self-determination of Greenlanders, we believe in the self-determination of the population of Greenland.”

Asked if plans have been drafted to use military force to take over Greenland, he indicated the White House planned to wait for the people of the territory to vote for self-determination before acting.

“What the president has said… is that we need to have more of a position in Greenland,” he added.

Read more:
Analysis: Vance felt the cold but had no warm words
Analysis: How Greenlanders view Trump’s threats
Why does Trump want to take over Greenland?
Russia and America’s Arctic plans another challenge for Europe

Greenland is the world’s largest island, with a population of 57,000, and is also a founding member of NATO.

Straddling the Arctic circle between the US, Russia and Europe, the island offers a unique geopolitical advantage that America has eyed for more than 150 years.

Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was not surprised the US wants control of Greenland given its long-time interest in the mineral-rich territory.

“It can look surprising only at first glance and it would be wrong to believe that this is some sort of extravagant talk by the current US administration,” Mr Putin said.

“It’s cold as s*** here,” said the US vice president when he touched down in Greenland.

He meant it, both literally and metaphorically.

There was no warm welcome from islanders for JD Vance and the second lady.

A small US team with a list of engagements evolved into a large delegation and just one engagement.

Everything changed when the organisers of a dogsled race, an annual spectacle on the cultural calendar, said the Americans weren’t invited.

The scaled-up US delegation and scaled-down schedule did little to address the concerns of Greenlanders.

The White House didn’t just send the vice president, they sent embattled national security advisor Mike Waltz too.

Instead of being greeted by residents, they were greeted by their own troops manning an outpost tasked with warning them about long-range missile attacks.

And the vice president, who’s fast becoming the chief critic of Europe, made Denmark the focus of his attack.

But listen carefully to his speech and you’ll hear the same word twice: “think”.

“This is what we think is going to happen” re. their hopes islanders will vote for independence from Denmark and then engage with America.

“We do not think military action will be necessary,” he added, when asked about that potential.

There is a world of difference between thinking something and knowing something.

So, what happens if what JD Vance “thinks” will or won’t happen doesn’t come to pass?

Read more:
How Greenlanders view Trump’s threats
Why does Trump want to take over Greenland?
Russia and America’s Arctic plans another challenge for Europe

Back in Washington DC, the president of the United States gave the answer.

“It’s not a question about whether we can do without it (Greenland). We can’t,” he said.

And Donald Trump has never ruled out taking the island by force.