Floods

  • Thailand NewsMae Sai battles floods again as Chiang Rai plans flood prevention

    Mae Sai battles floods again as Chiang Rai plans flood prevention

    Mae Sai district residents are grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding, only weeks after recovering from the previous inundation during the rainy season. Torrential rains on Thursday night, November 7, led to the Sai Lom Joy market, positioned along the Sai River, being submerged under floodwater. Despite the adverse weather conditions, Mueang Daeng Road and Lung Khon Wood Market…

  • Thailand NewsChiang Rai enters second phase of post-flood restoration

    Chiang Rai enters second phase of post-flood restoration

    Chiang Rai entered the second phase of its restoration process after recent floods, focusing on enhancing infrastructure, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The Office of Prime Minister’s spokesperson, Jirayu Houngsab, reported that Phumtham, along with several Interior Ministry officials, participated in a ceremony yesterday, October 28, to hand over flood-recovered areas in Mae Sai district.…

  • Thailand NewsChiang Rai flood recovery 96% complete, set to finish by Monday

    Chiang Rai flood recovery 96% complete, set to finish by Monday

    Post-flood recovery efforts in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district are nearing completion, according to the government’s operation centre for flood, storm, and landslide victims. Officials stated yesterday, October 18, that all affected communities should see the recovery work finalised by Monday as scheduled. Jirayu Huangsab, a spokesperson for the centre, provided an update from the forward command in Chiang Rai,…

  • Thailand NewsBacterial infections: Thailand’s silent killers strike flood victims

    Bacterial infections: Thailand’s silent killers strike flood victims

    Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) issued a warning as cases of Leptospirosis and Melioidosis surge amidst the rainy season and floods. Both bacterial infections are on the rise, particularly threatening children, and require immediate attention. In just the first nine months of this year, around 6,000 cases have been reported, leading to a staggering 119 deaths. Leptospirosis, often spread…

  • Thailand NewsBlind elephant left behind as Chiang Mai floods ravage sanctuary (video)

    Blind elephant left behind as Chiang Mai floods ravage sanctuary (video)

    Dramatic footage from the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai shows the heartwarming moment when four elephants waded through rising floodwaters, escaping a sanctuary inundated by severe flooding. The park’s staff scrambled to lead the animals to safety as relentless downpours from Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most powerful storm this year, battered the region. Among the group, one elephant moved noticeably…

  • Thailand NewsTide turns: Chinese man in hot water over risky Ping River plunge

    Tide turns: Chinese man in hot water over risky Ping River plunge

    A Chinese man faces a fine of up to 5,000 baht for swimming in the Ping River in Chiang Mai province during a strong current and flooding. A video of the man floating and relaxing in the Ping River during heavy flooding in Chiang Mai was first shared last month. The video drew widespread criticism, with many expressing concern that…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok safe from floods despite heavy rain, says PM

    Bangkok safe from floods despite heavy rain, says PM

    Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra assured the public that Bangkok will remain safe from flooding, noting that the current rainfall levels are significantly lower than those experienced during the devastating floods of 2011. The Thai premier reviewed the water situation yesterday, October 2, at the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi. She highlighted that while Thailand was…

  • Thailand TravelFlooding in Pai: What you need to know

    Flooding in Pai: What you need to know

    Pai, a charming town in northern Thailand’s Mae Hong Son province, recently faced severe flooding due to heavy monsoon rains. Thousands of residents and tourists had to evacuate, leading to significant property damage. This disaster highlights the vulnerability of communities near rivers and the increasing challenges posed by extreme weather, followed by flood-borne diseases. Current situation of flooding in Pai…

  • Thailand NewsCrocodile tears: Thai farmer takes action to keep community safe

    Crocodile tears: Thai farmer takes action to keep community safe

    A Thai farm owner in the northern province of Lamphun took the heartbreaking decision to kill 125 crocodiles to ensure the safety of his neighbours and residents. The action was taken as a precaution, given that the animals could have escaped during the floods. Extensive agricultural land and livestock farms in various provinces, particularly in Isaan and northern Thailand, have suffered…

  • Thailand NewsDrain expectations: Water woes in Thailand get fast-tracked fix

    Drain expectations: Water woes in Thailand get fast-tracked fix

    Government officials are pulling out all the stops to accelerate water drainage in the flood-stricken northeastern provinces of Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, and Bung Kan, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced. The 58 year old deputy PM emphasised that swift action in draining water into the Mekong River could dramatically lessen the flood impacts compared to the…

  • Thailand NewsMekong your way to better flood control: Experts call for joint effort

    Mekong your way to better flood control: Experts call for joint effort

    The International Rivers Network issued a stark warning, calling on the government to urgently team up with neighbouring nations to manage the Mekong River more effectively. The aim? To cut economic losses and save lives when future floods hit. Pianporn Deetes, the Campaign Director for the Southeast Asia Programme at the International Rivers Network, revealed that recent devastating floods in…

  • Thailand NewsNo more hogging the spotlight: Flood claims beloved Chiang Rai pig

    No more hogging the spotlight: Flood claims beloved Chiang Rai pig

    A beloved pig named Bamruea, who had been rescued as a piglet and survived four previous floods, succumbed to the devastating floods in Chiang Rai yesterday. The floods have wreaked havoc on both residents and animals, with the swift and powerful currents making escape nearly impossible. The floods in Chiang Rai have caused significant distress, trapping many residents and animals…

  • Thailand NewsNo need to panic, flood’s just a ‘ripple’ in northern Thailand

    No need to panic, flood’s just a ‘ripple’ in northern Thailand

    The Government of Thailand urged residents not to panic after the recent deluge in the north of the country, adding it won’t flood Bangkok or its neighbouring provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai declared that the caretaker administration has everything under control. With waters wreaking havoc in Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai, the emergency services are stepping up…

  • Thailand NewsIncreased rainfall unlikely to cause 2011-like floods, says ONWR

    Increased rainfall unlikely to cause 2011-like floods, says ONWR

    Increased rainfall expected in the coming weeks due to the La Nina phenomenon is unlikely to lead to a repeat of the devastating 2011 floods, according to the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR). ONWR Chief Surasee Kittimonthon confirmed that weather reports predicting less frequent rain this year suggest a low likelihood of major flooding similar to the 2011…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok Governor warns residents near Chao Phraya River of potential floods due to unexpected storm

    Bangkok Governor warns residents near Chao Phraya River of potential floods due to unexpected storm

    Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt issued an alert for communities living near the Chao Phraya River to be on guard against high water levels due to the storm surge effect at around 7pm today. The 57 year old city chief revealed at Bangkok City Hall that the volume of seawater was significantly higher than forecasted, leading to a 30% surge in…

  • Phuket NewsFlowing towards change: Phuket Old Town floods get a drain makeover worth 226 million baht (video)

    Flowing towards change: Phuket Old Town floods get a drain makeover worth 226 million baht (video)

    Addressing the longstanding issue of recurring floods in Phuket Old Town, a public hearing was held yesterday chaired by the Mayor of Phuket City, Saroj Angkanapilas. The main agenda was the unveiling of a 226 million baht drainage system construction project, aimed at shielding the Old Town from the destructive impact of frequent floods. Set within the premises of the…

  • World NewsRecord number of internally displaced people due to overlapping crises

    Record number of internally displaced people due to overlapping crises

    An unprecedented “perfect storm” of overlapping crises forced tens of millions to flee within their own countries last year, sending the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) soaring to an all-time high. In 2022, a record 71.1 million IDPs were registered, up 20% from the previous year. This staggering increase was a result of mass displacement due to Russia’s war…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesReport finds most Thais don’t understand climate change

    Report finds most Thais don’t understand climate change

    A recent report by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has revealed that most Thais have a limited understanding of the impact of climate change on the planet. Only 35% of Thais believe that the use of fossil fuels should be reduced. This reflects a general lack of awareness about climate change and what causes it. Oddly, the…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket prisoners to dredge drains in new project to fight flooding

    Phuket prisoners to dredge drains in new project to fight flooding

    Phuket prisoners will dredge drains and sewers in a new project to fight the island province’s horrendous flooding problems. Officials held a meeting about the upcoming endeavor at Phuket’s Provincial Hall on Wednesday. Officials said the project aims to prevent a repeat last year’s damage from havoc wreaking floods. Inmates from Phuket Provincial Prison will contribute to society by clearing…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s top 10 stories on social media for 2022

    Thailand’s top 10 stories on social media for 2022

    Social media in Thailand has had a busy year full of sensational scandals and news stories. What were the people of Thailand talking about most in 2022? Wisesight, an online analytics company used its Zocial Eye tools to analyse social media activity between January 1 and December 20 of this year in Thailand to see what got people buzzing online.…

  • World NewsFloods hit Malaysia hard, tens of thousands displaced

    Floods hit Malaysia hard, tens of thousands displaced

    Floods are hitting Malaysia hard leaving tens of thousands of people displaced. As of last night, 45,000 victims had been evacuated to relief centres in five states in Malaysia’s peninsula. The state of Terengganu was hit the hardest, with 29,717 victims from 8,214 families evacuated. The district most impacted in Terengganu was Kemaman, with 8,375 victims from 2,109 families evacuated. There…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesFlash flood warning issued for 9 provinces in southern Thailand

    Flash flood warning issued for 9 provinces in southern Thailand

    Heavy rain and flash flooding is expected to continue on southern Thailand‘s east coast for at least another two days, from December 9-10, according to the Songkhla Meteorological Centre. A monsoon from the northeast is moving southward to the Gulf of Thailand and a second monsoon is moving northward through upper Malaysia, said the centre. Heavy rainfall is expected today,…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesFlood warning for 11 southern provinces

    Flood warning for 11 southern provinces

    Southern Thailand has been soaked with rain over the past week. Now, the National Water Command Centre is warning 11 provinces of possible floods this coming weekend. They are expecting heavy rains from Thursday, December 8 through Sunday, December 11. Strong storms have been flickering power in some provinces in the south of Thailand, with high winds blowing debris and…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesMore heavy rain and flash floods expected in Thailand

    More heavy rain and flash floods expected in Thailand

    More heavy rain and flash floods are expected in Thailand this week, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said today. The low pressure will cover the Gulf of Thailand while the monsoon will pass through the southern parts of Thailand from November 23-24. Those in the eastern and southern regions have been warned about the possibility of flash floods. The country’s…

  • Road deathsSoon-to-be bride tragically killed in car crash in central Thailand

    Soon-to-be bride tragically killed in car crash in central Thailand

    A soon-to-be bride was tragically killed in a car crash in Thailand’s central province of Suphan Buri. The soon-to-be groom, meanwhile, was seriously injured. The future bride and groom were set to marry on November 6. Yesterday, the two had driven to the eastern Chachoengsao province to deliver eggs. On their way home, a fatal crash happened. The groom, 26…

  • Thailand NewsPICTURES: Soi Dog delivers food to animals in flood-hit provinces of Thailand

    PICTURES: Soi Dog delivers food to animals in flood-hit provinces of Thailand

    Soi Dog Foundation delivered over 210 tonnes of food to over 26,000 animals affected by floods in Thailand this month alone. Soi Dog helped animals affected by severe flooding in Sing Buri, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Sukhothai, and Ang Thong provinces. The foundation was able to deliver 7,750 bags of dog food and 2,785 bags of cat food in six…

  • Economy NewsGovt set up complaints hotline about pricey veggies

    Govt set up complaints hotline about pricey veggies

    Noticed an increase in the price of vegetables? So has the government and that is why a complaints hotline has been set up for consumers to log their gripes. The Commerce Ministry’s Department of Internal Trade (DIT) yesterday made known it will monitor increases in the nation’s vegetable prices and promises to come up with measures to control prices. DIT…

  • Phuket NewsMajor road in Phang Nga flooded

    Major road in Phang Nga flooded

    A major road in Phang Nga was heavily flooded on Wednesday, with the flooded area almost 1 kilometre long. The flood on Petchkasem Road stretched from the fresh market in Takua Pa district to Khao Lak Medical Centre, with small cars unable to pass, Naewna reported. Phang Nga’s governor visited the flooded area, and said he had ordered Takua Pa’s…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesAlmost 20,000 households in central Thai province impacted by floods

    Almost 20,000 households in central Thai province impacted by floods

    Almost 20,000 households in one province in Central Thailand were impacted by floods this morning, The Pattaya News reported. Some 17,825 households, 10 communities, and 22 sub-districts in six districts were reportedly impacted by the floods in Sing Buri province. The floods were caused by the Chao Phraya River overflowing. Some villagers set up a temporary shelter by the roadside,…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesMonkeys pillaging homes in Ayutthaya due to floods

    Monkeys pillaging homes in Ayutthaya due to floods

    After months of flooding, residents in Ayutthaya are dealing with a different pox of monkeys. Hungry monkeys struggling to find food in the heavy rains have taken to invading local neighbourhoods and homes in search of a meal. Many districts in the central province have been pounded by rain since August, overflowing rivers like the Chao Phraya and straining dams…