Flash Flood Sweeps Ban Thongchai Village, Destroys Two Bridges
Heavy rain triggered flash floods in Ban Thongchai village, Mae Sot district, destroying two bridges and leaving over 1,000 residents isolated for four days. Hundreds of rai of farmland, mainly corn and chili crops, were damaged, and villagers have built temporary bamboo crossings while awaiting repairs. Authorities are coordinating heavy‑machinery efforts to restore access as soon as possible.
Continuous heavy rain since September 28 caused flash floods in Tak province, especially in Ban Thongchai village, Moo 7, Tambon Dan Mae Lamao, Mae Sot district. The flood eroded and swept away the lower and upper Ban Thongchai bridges over Huai Mae Lamao creek, cutting off all vehicle access to the village. More than 1,000 people from over 200 households have been isolated for four days, while agricultural land—mainly corn and chili fields—has suffered damage across several hundred rai. Villagers have built temporary bamboo crossings to obtain food and necessities and are closely monitoring the rain and flood situation. Mae Sot deputy governor Rattanakul Sangkhasipla visited the area, delivering relief packages and coordinating with provincial and sub‑district administrations to bring heavy machinery for road and bridge repairs. Village headman Damrongdech Saekee reported that the flood destroyed about 40 rai of his corn crop and that many farmers face similar losses, with total damaged farmland estimated in the hundreds of rai. Some villagers’ vehicles were also inundated, and although corn is still yielding and chili is entering harvest season, produce cannot be transported for sale.
