On September 10, 2024, heavy rains caused by Tropical Storm Yagi, combined with continuous downpours since September 8, resulted in significant flooding in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. The flooding was most severe in the Sai Lom Choi Market area near the first Sai River Bridge, where water levels in some residential areas rose to over 1 meter. This region, including the market—home to around 200 shops—has already experienced flooding over five times this year, but this latest incident has been the most severe.
The Sai River breached its banks on the night of September 9, leading to a rapid and dangerous rise in water levels. The floodwaters extended two kilometers away from the river, reaching the old Mae Sai-Chiang Saen road and disrupting businesses and daily life. Local electricity authorities had to cut power in the flood-affected market areas to prevent accidents, which also impacted the water pumping station. This power cut threatened water supplies to nine villages in Wiang Phang Kham sub-district and five villages in Mae Sai sub-district.
Communities along the Sai River, including Sai Lom Choi, Ko Sai, Ko Sawan, Mai Lung Khon, Mueang Daeng, and others downstream, were also affected. The areas along the Ruak River, into which the Sai River flows, faced similar challenges. Many affected residents took to social media to post videos calling for help, showing people, including the elderly, children, and pets, trapped inside flooded homes. In some cases, families attempted to escape rising waters, while others desperately awaited rescue.
In response, local administrative officials, military personnel, and emergency agencies rushed to aid those in need. Chiang Rai Governor Phutthiphong Sirimat personally led local officials in rescue efforts, working alongside the Pha Muang Task Force of the military to assist elderly and bedridden individuals trapped in their homes. Despite efforts by residents to use sandbags to block the floodwaters, many were unsuccessful, forcing them to move their belongings to higher ground.
While the Sai Lom Choi Market was particularly hard hit, the entire district faced significant disruptions. Residents and officials remarked that this flood was notably worse than any recent occurrences. Many businesses, especially the market’s traders, closed their shops and attempted to move merchandise to safety before the waters fully inundated the area. By September 10, floodwaters were still up to one meter deep in some parts of the riverside community, with fears that the levels could continue to rise.
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) of Mae Sai posted updates on social media, informing the public about the emergency power cuts in flooded areas. Approximately 300 households were left without electricity as a precaution to prevent accidents. Authorities emphasized their commitment to restoring power as soon as it was safe to do so, and encouraged residents to stay informed through their hotline.
In addition to the flooding in Mae Sai, other northern provinces of Thailand, including Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Nan, Phayao, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, and Tak, also faced significant challenges from both floods and landslides. In Chiang Mai, flash floods and landslides impacted the Ban Pang Ton Duea area, resulting in two confirmed deaths, one injury, and four missing individuals. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to locate and assist survivors.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra addressed the situation by posting a public message, noting that she had received detailed reports from the National Water Resources Office about the ongoing flooding, particularly in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. She assured citizens that relevant agencies were mobilized and providing urgent assistance to affected regions. The Prime Minister also encouraged citizens to report their distress through the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) hotline 1784 and expressed solidarity with both the affected individuals and the emergency response teams.
On the ground in Chiang Rai, the usually bustling Sai Lom Joy Market, a vital commercial area located on the border with Myanmar in Mae Sai, was shuttered as floodwaters submerged the market. The market, which sits at the crossroads between Mai Sai and Tachilek, Myanmar, is a major trade hub and had been severely affected by the flooding. On the evening of September 9, as the Sai River swelled, traders scrambled to secure their goods and evacuate the area. By September 10, large sections of the market were still under up to a meter of water, and officials were continuing to assess the damage caused.
The Northern Meteorological Centre issued further warnings, forecasting continued rainfall—some of it heavy—across the northern regions until September 16, raising concerns that the flooding may worsen before it subsides. The situation remained highly unpredictable, and local authorities were closely monitoring the weather patterns.
In addition to the challenges in Thailand, Tropical Storm Yagi also wreaked havoc in neighboring countries. According to reports from AP News, the storm caused widespread destruction in Vietnam, where floods and landslides claimed at least 87 lives by September 10. Over 70 people were reported missing, and hundreds more were injured as the storm’s aftermath continued to affect large parts of the country. Vietnam’s emergency response efforts were similarly overwhelmed, with authorities struggling to manage the rising death toll and the search for missing individuals.
As the disaster unfolded, multiple agencies in both Thailand and Vietnam worked tirelessly to provide relief and assistance to the affected populations. In Chiang Rai, efforts to rescue individuals trapped by the floodwaters remained ongoing, with some social media posts highlighting the dire conditions faced by those still awaiting help. One post drew attention to a man stranded on the roof of a market stall in the Mai Lung Khon area, prompting desperate calls for rescue. However, the strong currents and high waters hampered efforts to reach him, with several rescue boats capsizing during the operation. Rescue teams, working under intense conditions, continued to face significant challenges in reaching those most at risk.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), under the guidance of Minister Chalermchai Sri-on, was also mobilized to assist in the relief efforts. Director Phutthaphot Kuprasith, head of the Protected Area Administration Office 15, announced that park officials were preparing manpower, vehicles, and essential supplies to help affected residents in the northern region. Teams from the Lam Nam Kok National Park and Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non National Park were deployed to assist in emergency relief efforts, ensuring that aid reached those in remote and hard-hit areas.
With the situation in Mae Sai remaining critical, residents and officials alike braced for further rainfall and possible rising water levels, as emergency response teams continued to work around the clock to provide aid and rescue those still trapped by the floods.
