As businesses reopen and the streets have been cleared of mud and sand, Post-flood recovery work in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district continues. To prevent future flooding, a lot of mud needs to be removed from the drainage pipes.
Mud suction trucks on loan from the Samut Prakan Provincial Administrative Organization are working to remove mud and sand from drainage pipes in various community areas, especially in the Koh Sai and Mai Lung Khan communities.
If there is heavy rain again, flooding may occur as many drainage pipes are clogged with clay-like mud. Presently, the suction trucks are focused on cleaning the drains along the main roads of Mae Sai before going into the alleys.
Mr. Sirichai Sukhanil, a suction truck driver, said that the team has been helping to remove the mud in the Mae Sai area for more than a month since the water receded. He said there are only two mud suction trucks and 3 water trucks to clear the drains, and there is still a lot of mud clogged in the drainage pipes, which may take months.
The water trucks need to pump water into the drains so the pumper trucks can suck the mud out; it has to be done many times as the mud is like clay and difficult to pump out. In addition to the mud, many drainage pipes are cracked and collapsed, he said.
Mr. Chaiyont Srisamut, Mayor of Mae Sai Subdistrict Municipality, has ordered officials in each department to continuously help the people by clearing drainage pipes and collecting garbage in communities and households.
He confirmed that the work is expected to take about 1-2 months, faster than the initial schedule of 6 months. With assistance from the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense, the Friends in Need (Pha) Foundation, and volunteers from many private sectors, the rehabilitation efforts will be done sooner than scheduled, he said.
Meanwhile, the Chiang Rai Provincial Administrative and local administrative organizations in Mae Sai District, have mobilized to survey villages and communities expected to be affected by the flood prevention plan for the Thai-Myanmar border area.
The Ministry of Interior plans to reclaim land along the Sai River from the Tham Pha Chom Community, Sai Lom Joy Market area, to the Khao Sai Community and the Mai Lung Khan Community.
Presently, the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning is studying the impact and action plan. The survey only measures the number of houses and people to be clear so that the district and the ministry can make informed decisions.
Mr. Thanawat Thirattanachai, village headman of Koh Sai community, said that the Khao Sai community alone has a population of about 2,000 people, with a total area of approximately 75 rai and about 650 households next to and alongside the Sai River.
He said the villagers have lived in the area for generations, at least 60-70 years, so they will be quite affected.
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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.
