Northern Thailand’s Primary Airport Shut Down Amid Severe Flooding in Muang District
CHIANG RAI – The economic heart of Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand, faces extensive flooding, with water levels reaching waist-deep and continuing to rise due to the overflowing Kok River. The situation has led to the immediate closure of Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport, with the last flight operating at 1:10 PM on Thursday.
Authorities declared an emergency, shutting down roads and bridges across Muang district early Thursday, disrupting access to critical areas, including the airport, the central Pho Khun intersection, and the provincial hall.
Evacuations commenced on Wednesday evening, as strong currents made ground-floor homes unsafe for residents. Local officials deployed jet skis to help rescue those stranded by rapidly rising floodwaters.
Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital has restricted its services to emergency cases only, reflecting the severity of the flooding.
Muang district is one of six districts in Chiang Rai battling severe flood conditions, which also impact Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, Mae Fah Luang, and Mae Sai.
Reports indicate that over 10,000 households have been affected by the floods, with three fatalities confirmed in Mae Fah Luang.
Sai River Water Levels Dropping
In Mae Sai district, officials noted a decrease in the Sai River’s water levels, and Phahon Yothin Road, previously inundated, has returned to normal. However, Muang district remains in a critical condition.
The Mae Sai border checkpoint remains closed for vehicular traffic to Myanmar, as the flooding damaged access systems and clean-up efforts are ongoing. Stranded Myanmar nationals are expected to return on foot, pending coordination with immigration authorities.
Vendors at the Sai Lom Joy market are beginning their clean-up efforts following the extensive flooding.
Residents have regained access to the Koh Sai community, although several areas remain submerged. Teams comprising navy officers, police, and local officials are conducting evacuation operations for those trapped in their homes for over two days.
Rescue workers, utilizing flat-bottom boats and wading through floodwaters, are prioritizing the evacuation of vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, women, and children.
In Muang district, rescue operations are underway as authorities respond to the flooding caused by the Kok River bursting its banks, impacting many central areas where floodwaters have risen to approximately 30 centimeters at the Pho Khun intersection.
Suttipong Juljarern, the permanent secretary for the Interior Ministry, reported that many previously submerged roads are becoming navigable again as the Sai River’s water level has decreased by about one meter, approaching normal levels.
Alert Issued for Over 40 Provinces
The Office of National Water Resources announced that more than 40 provinces remain on high alert for potential flash floods as a new tropical depression is anticipated to strengthen through September 18. Since Tuesday, severe flooding in the northern provinces has resulted in at least nine deaths.
The Meteorological Department warns that additional heavy rainfall is expected nationwide starting Friday into early next week. Since August 16, flooding and landslides have tragically claimed 33 lives across Thailand and severely impacted nearly 110,000 households.
Additionally, Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm to affect Asia this year, has impacted approximately 34,000 households in northern Thailand and caused significant devastation in Vietnam, resulting in at least 157 fatalities and 139 individuals reported missing.
