The Chiang Rai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office conducted an initial damage survey and found that more than 50,000 families and more than 90 business owners in strategic trade and economic areas have been heavily flooded for four days since September 11.
Some areas of Chiang Rai are still flooded because they are in low-lying areas, but in some areas, the flood waters have receded, and both residents and business owners have returned to clean up the damage caused by the flooding.
According to the Chiang Rai Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center, more than 51,000 households were damaged by floods, 4 people died, and 2 were injured in Chiang Rai Municipality. A total of 22 communities and 92 business operators were affected.
The Chiang Rai Irrigation Department has been expediting water drainage into various canals that drain into the Mekong River. Although there is still flooding in Mueang Chiang Rai District, the water levels have started to recede. The situation is expected to return to normal on September 14, 2024.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul said that Chiang Rai Province has been declared a disaster zone, allowing the government to draw from reserve funds to assist flood victims and businesses. He said the Chiang Rai Governor can increase the budget if the reserve funds are insufficient.
Mrs. Phakamas Wiera, Vice President of the Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce, said several large hotels along the Kok River, as well as famous restaurants and coffee shops, had been severely damaged.
She said the flooding in Mae Sai District this time is considered the worst in decades. Everything has collapsed, especially the economic and trade areas, which have been severely damaged. At this time, the economic damage couldn’t be assessed.
According to Mrs. Phakamas, the overall economy of Mae Sai usually has a daily turnover of hundreds of millions of baht from consumer goods, tourism, public health services, and education, with a combined economic value estimated at around 50,000-60,000 million baht per year.
She said the Mae Sai and Mueang Chiang Rai Districts are important economic centers of Chiang Rai Province. Mae Sai District, in particular, is a border trade city between Thailand and Myanmar. The flooding in the economic area has completely destroyed everything, and the impact is very severe. If we assess the damage value at this time, it should be at least 10 billion baht.
As Chiang Rai residents return to their homes, the Meteorological Department and the Office of National Water Resources warned that between September 13 and 18, a low-pressure front would cover the northern part of Thailand, one of which is Chiang Rai Province.
Presently, the sky is dark and dark, with black clouds covering Chiang Rai City. Heavy rain could fall again, causing more flooding.
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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.
