Chiang Rai faces third flood this year as Mae Sai River overflows

Chiang Rai experienced its third major flood of the year as the Mae Sai River overflowed, causing significant damage to border communities and the Sa Lom Joy market. Shopkeepers hurriedly moved their goods to safety.

At around 2am today, August 14, the Mae Sai River surged into the border community near Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai province. The Sa Lom Joy market, a prominent economic and trade hub in the area, was particularly hard-hit. This marks the third instance of flooding this year for the region.

Floodwaters from beneath the bridge inundated the market’s entrance, spilling onto the roads and affecting businesses along the entire stretch. Many shopkeepers, having faced multiple floods previously, managed to move their products to higher ground in time.

Following the incident, local officials from the Mae Sai district, the Mae Sai municipality, and other related agencies swiftly placed sandbags at key locations to limit the flooding. As a result, the inundation remained largely confined to areas along the riverbank. Importantly, the border checkpoint, Phahonyothin Road, and most of the region remained unaffected by the floodwaters, reported KhaoSod.

In contrast, the neighbouring area of Tachileik in Myanmar suffered more severe consequences. Particularly, the Tha Lo market, situated in a low-lying area, experienced extensive damage as floodwaters surged from the bridge into the market.

In related news, the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a warning for heavy rain in three regions, with the northern region expected to face 70% rainfall. Bangkok will experience heavy showers from afternoon to evening. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential flooding and flash floods.

The weather forecast for today indicates a possibility of heavy rainfall in the northern, upper northeastern, and eastern regions of Thailand. The TMD urged residents in these areas to stay alert due to the risk of heavy rain and accumulated rainfall, which could lead to flash floods and overflowing rivers, particularly in hilly regions and near waterways.