Floating restaurant blown across river from Laos to Thailand during thunderstorm

A thunderstorm and hail hit the Isaan region of Thailand and the neighbouring country of Laos, yesterday evening. The strong winds of the storm caused damage to a local restaurant and houses in the Mukdaharn province, leading to the roofs being blown off.

A floating restaurant in Laos was blown into the Thai side, and eight people dining in the restaurant were reported to be safe.

As reported by KhaoSod, the thunderstorm and hail hit the Na Po Noi Community situated along the Mae Kong River in Mukdaharn province. The roofs of the houses belonging to locals and the Baan Lao Yuan, a riverside restaurant, were blown off as they were made of corrugated steel sheets.

The damaged roofs piled up on the Samran Chai Kong Nue Road, obstructing traffic in the area. Electric poles and trees were damaged by the storm power outage in the community and nearby areas.

On the other side of the Mae Kong River in Laos, the storm affected several restaurants and communities. The wind blew a floating restaurant called Phae Mueang Fah toward the Thai side of the river, where it eventually reached the Mukdaharn Provincial Marine Police Office.

Fortunately, eight staff members and customers present in the restaurant were safe, but they were still frightened by the unexpected event.

Following the storm, the Mukdaharn Provincial Governor, Worrayarn Boonnarat, sent a team to clear the roof scraps from the road to reopen the traffic and restore the electricity system. The province contacted authorities from Laos to assist in picking up the eight victims and returning the floating restaurant to its original location.

The Isaan region of Thailand and Laos has been known to experience thunderstorms and other natural disasters during the monsoon season.

According to the Thai Meteorological Department, northeastern Thailand could experience scorching temperatures of up to 42 degrees Celsius and there is a 40% chance of rain. Several provinces in the region, including Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdaharn, Bakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Mana Sarakhrm, Toi Et, Yasothorn, Amnart Charoen, Buriram Surin, Si Sakatre, and Ubon Ratchaithani, may also face blustery winds and hail, further exacerbating the already challenging weather conditions.