Puttipong Sirimart, the governor of Chiang Rai and head of the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command, held a press briefing to discuss the situation of flood relief efforts in the province.
He told reporters that we are still receiving requests for assistance from people trapped in designated disaster areas. All district heads and military rescue teams are working to assist fully.
He said that due to the Kok River’s inundation, the city of Chiang Rai is currently underwater, with floodwaters reaching waist-deep levels and continuing to rise.
City officials announced the closure of roads and bridges in Muang district, which will impact access to critical locations such as the provincial council, the five-way Pho Khun intersection, and Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport.
The Chiang Rai Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command reported 5 sub-districts, 17 villages, and 6 districts in Mueang Chiang Rai District were affected.
The others are Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, Mae Fah Luang and Mae Sai. More than 10,000 households have been affected, and three deaths were reported in the Mae Fah Luang district after a landslide buried a home.
Three bridges have been closed due to high flooding: Mae Fah Luang Bridge (next to Chiang Rai Provincial Hall), Khua Phaya Mengrai Bridge, and Kok River Bridge (in the area of Chiang Rai Municipality School 6).
Schools in Chiang Rai Municipality have announced that they will be closed until the situation returns to normal. Initially, 5 schools are:
Chiang Rai Municipality School 6
Chiang Rai Municipality School 7Fang Min
Samakkhi Witthayakhom School
Chiang Rai Kindergarten School (San Ton Pao)
Chiang Rai Provincial Administrative Organization School.
The Chiang Rai Provincial Waterworks Authority has suspended water production and distribution systems in Mueang Chiang Rai and Wiang Chai Districts, affecting the entire area of Tambon Rob Wiang, Villages 1-5, Lam Kok, Lam Korn, and Lam Lao.
The water level has overflowed the banks and flooded houses in the Hat Chiang Rai area.
The Chulabhorn Science School, Chiang Rai, reported that 835 teachers and students were stranded in the school and needed to be evacuated (120 teachers, 715 students). The Chiang Rai Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office coordinated with the Chiang Rai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center, Region 15, to provide 3 evacuation vehicles to transport all victims to a safe area.
The mission was completed at 4:19 p.m. yesterday.
In Tambon Doi Hang, Village No. 4, 6, the Kok River overflowed its banks and flooded houses and agricultural areas. The water level is high and cannot be surveyed yet. Tambon Mae Yao, Village No. 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 15, 18, the Kok River overflowed its banks and flooded houses.
He said people had been ordered to evacuate and move their belongings to higher ground. The Ha Lae Ja suspension bridge (a wooden bridge) is broken and cannot be traveled.
A landslide blocked the road in Tambon Huai Chomphu, Village No. 10, and crews are in the process of opening the route.
In the Rim Kok subdistrict, the Kok River overflowed the banks at Ban Muang Ngim, Village No. 4, after the water barrier was eroded. The Rim Kok Subdistrict Administrative Organization worked to complete the rebuilding of the river banks to prevent water from flooding into people’s houses and evacuate people from the flooded areas.
Officials in the Mae Sai district reported that the Sai River was receding, and Phahon Yothin Road, which had been extensively inundated, was still experiencing severe flooding. The situation in downtown Muang district was also critical.
The Mae Sai border checkpoint has not yet been reopened to motorists traveling to Myanmar due to flooding, which has harmed the system and necessitated cleaning of the affected areas.
Due to the rapid rise of floodwater in many areas of Chiang Rai province, the provincial electric authority had to urgently cut off the electricity as follows:
– Pangiew Soi 8 – Soi Rong Slaughterhouse – Ban Ko Loi – Thanon Klang Wiang, Thet Phrakiat Building – From Doi Hang to the end of the power distribution system – Fai Lek Community – Hat Chiang Rai – Area next to Wat Si Bun Rueang – Hong Li Soi 6 – Area of Promlikhit Shop, Kae Wai – Ministry of Finance – Ban Huai Sai Khao to Ban Huai Lu – Area of Islamic Bank and Ko Thong Community – Thanapiriya Kae Wai and nearby areas – Area of PT Gas Station, Ha Yaek Pho Khun – Fang Min Fisheries Office and nearby agencies – Area of some Chiang Rai Sports Stadium – Ban Pa Bong area – Ban Pa Daeng area – Soi Prapa Muang Ngim – Pa Yang Mon Soi 5 – GMS Center – Labor Skill Development Center, Land Office – Some areas of Sahasart School – Pa Yang Mon Soi 10 – Mueang Chiang Rai District Office, School T.6 – Soi next to School T.7 – Pa Ngio Soi 1 – Chainarai Hotel – Phayao University, ROTC Field – Ban Rai, way to the treatment pond – Ban Fa Sai Sports Field – City Hall – Soi next to Lanna Hotel – Some parts of Ban Thung San Ruam
At 1:00 p.m., people using the route in front of City Hall were warned that the water level had increased and that low-wheelbase vehicles could not travel. Highways officials warned road users in the area to drive slowly and be careful because driving too fast may damage houses.
Meanwhile, government offices and private sector organisations have collaborated to offer free parking and lodging for those impacted by the ongoing inundation and for volunteers assisting in the region.
Accommodation and parking space:
– Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport; 053 798 000
– Silamanee Resort, Mae Sai, Chiang Rai; 053-668301 and 053-668303
– Pornpairin Apartment; 088-881-1171
– Raichompoo Chiang Rai; 089 9539414
– Raiboonrat Resort; 092 546 3254
– Ruenlamai Lanna; 089 999 5383, 064 956 6265
Parking spaces:
– White Temple (parking lots)
– Singha Park Chiang Rai (parking lots)
– Central Chiang Rai (parking lots)
Geoff Thomas is an award winning journalist known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense reporting style. Over the years he has worked for Reuters and the Canadian Press covering everything from political scandals to human interest stories. He brings a clear and direct approach to his work.
