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Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Climate
- Bangkok Post
Landslide, flood warning for 17 Thai provinces
People in 17 provinces across four Thai regions are warned to be prepared for possible flash floods, landslides and forest runoff between Tuesday and Saturday, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported on Monday. The Office of National Water Resources had been monitoring weather conditions since Saturday and found some parts of the country are at risk of disasters, expected between Tuesday and Saturday, July 5, DDPM director-general Passakorn Bunyalak said. Seventeen provinces were named in the announcement to be prepared for flash floods, landslides and forest runoff, including: Four provinces in the North: Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan and Tak Nine provinces in the Northeast: Loei, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Roi Et, Yasothon, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani. Two provinces in the Central region: Chanthaburi and Trat Two provinces in the South: Ranong and Phangnga Small to medium-sized reservoirs across the regions should be under close watch, said the DDPM. Water in the Ing River in Chiang Rai and the Mekong River was reportedly rising, with possible impacts on provinces along the rivers—Chiang Rai, Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) on Monday also forecast heavy to very heavy rain between Tuesday and Sunday, especially in the North and the Northeast, as a monsoon trough was passing through the upper parts of the two regions, exacerbated by a southwestern wind through the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Thunderstorms are expected to hit 60 to 70% of Bangkok and its outskirts, the TMD said.
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Climate
- Bangkok Post
Premier hands out aid kits in flood-hit Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited the flood-ravaged district of Phaya Mengrai on Saturday and ordered urgent relief for struggling residents. The flood situation in the district began to ease Saturday morning, with water levels receding by over 80%. However, many residents remain in distress, unable to cook due to a lack of clean water, kitchen equipment and energy supplies. Ms Paetongtarn flew to Chiang Rai Saturday to inspect the flood-affected areas, accompanied by Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich, permanent secretary for Interior Unsit Sampuntharat, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation director-general Pasakorn Boonyalak and Department of Provincial Administration director-general Chaiyawat Chuntirapong. The PM's visit included a stop at Ban Sop Pao, tambon Mae Pao, in Phaya Mengrai, where she was briefed on the flood situation. Provincial governor Charin Thongsuk said floodwaters had mostly subsided and, barring further rainfall, the area should return to normal soon. Officials said rain was still expected, but once conditions stabilise, damage assessments will be conducted to initiate compensation measures under the Disaster Relief Fund framework. Assistance guidelines include: up to 150 baht per person per day for meals (three meals per day), 700 baht per family for survival kits, 3,800 baht per family for basic essentials, up to 49,500 baht per household for home repairs, 5,700 baht per family for farm building repairs and 1,100 baht per person for clothing. Ms Paetongtarn also met residents, offered words of encouragement and handed out survival kits. Later, she visited Wat Santikhiri to distribute more aid packages. She acknowledged the increasing challenges posed by climate change and assured the public the government would not neglect them. "I've already given orders for full support. Regarding compensation, I've asked the Interior Ministry to act quickly -- people shouldn't have to wait too long," she said. Tambon Mae Pao, another flood disaster zone, Saturday morning saw steady rainfall and widespread mud residues across roads and homes. Despite the receding waters, residents are still struggling, with limited access to clean water, cooking tools and fuel. As a result, there have been calls for ready-to-eat meals to be made available to alleviate hardship during the recovery period. Earlier, the army distributed emergency aid kits, while state agencies continued to monitor the situation closely in case of further heavy rain. Attakorn Sirilattayakorn, MP for Chachoengsao and newly-named agriculture minister under the Klatham Party, also joined the prime minister's visit -- drawing attention to his active role on the ground even before formally assuming office.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
Flash floods hit Chiang Rai as heavy rain triggers mass evacuations, severe crop damage
Residents in Chiang Rai were forced to urgently evacuate and move belongings to higher ground. PHOTO: NATTY F. SUNISA/FACEBOOK - Thailand's Chiang Rai province is grappling with severe flooding following continuous heavy rainfall overnight on June 26 , extending into the morning of June 27 . The torrential downpours caused flash floods and mountain run-off across several districts, with Phaya Mengrai and Wiang Chai being the hardest hit. Large volumes of rainwater flowed rapidly from surrounding mountains into low-lying areas, causing sudden surges in water levels and widespread inundation. Residents were forced to urgently evacuate and move belongings to higher ground. In many areas, floodwaters reached waist height, with powerful currents damaging property and sweeping away possessions. Agricultural land – including orchards and farmland that provide livelihoods for local communities – has been severely affected, with vast areas submerged under water. In response to the emergency, Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, in coordination with mobile network providers, issued emergency alerts via cell broadcast warning of potential flash floods and run-off in the Mae Pao and Tat Khwan sub-districts of Phaya Mengrai. Residents in flood-prone areas were urged to relocate valuables and assist vulnerable groups, including the elderly and bedridden patients, while closely monitoring official updates from the local authorities. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Time Out
07-05-2025
- Time Out
Emergency broadcasts scheduled today and May 13
In response to the limited warnings following the recent earthquake that damaged homes and caused a building to collapse, the Thai government has developed a nationwide phone broadcast alert system that will send critical warning messages directly to mobile phones nationwide. To test the system, and to inform the public of the system's existence, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) will test these alarm systems on May 7 and May 13, covering various geographical areas each time. When tested, your phone will emit an attention-grabbing alert sound along with a bilingual emergency notification on screen that reads: 'This is a test message from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). No action required.' Alerts on May 7 will be broadcast at 1pm in the following areas: Alerts on May 13 will be broadcast at 1pm in the following areas:
The Star
29-04-2025
- The Star
Bangkok building collapse: Body, human remains recovered
Rescue workers removing debris at the site of a building in Bangkok that collapsed during a massive quake on March 28, 2025. - Photo: EPA-EFE BANGKOK: A body and seven sets of human remains have been recovered from the rubble of a 30-storey government building that collapsed during a massive earthquake in March. The under-construction State Audit Office building was reduced to an immense pile of rubble when a 7.7-magnitude quake struck neighbouring Myanmar on March 28, killing at least 44 people at the construction site. Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said on Tuesday (April 29) that the body and remains were found during a demolition operation on Monday (April 28). 'Among the findings were one intact body and two other major cases, along with smaller fragments accounting for around five separate cases,' he added. He said the demolition in zones A and D has reached the first floor, with some sections extending down to the basement. For zones B and C, which are adjacent to the carpark, machinery has been deployed to remove metal debris and clear a path to areas where more victims are believed to be trapped. 'One month has passed, and our personnel remain fully committed to the task,' said Suriyachai. One of the main challenges is dismantling zone D2, which adjoins zone C. Officials discovered large, mostly intact concrete slabs stacked approximately four to five layers deep, resembling a stack of pancakes. Suriyachai said this section must be addressed first, as the concrete slabs are obstructing the fire escape stairwell. Officials plan to use two heavy-duty demolition machines equipped with impact hammers, along with a backhoe, to break through the debris. 'If we can clear this area during the day, we'll be able to access more of the stairwell at night, which is expected to lead to the discovery of more victims in both zones B and C,' said Suriyachai. The Royal Thai Police's Central Institute of Forensic Science on April 17 announced that 33 victims had been positively identified. Of these, 22 were Thai nationals, 10 were from Myanmar, and one was Cambodian. - The Nation/ANN
