Giant Steel Raft Breaks Loose in Chainat Flood, Drifts 13km Downriver
A massive steel raft broke loose during heavy rainfall in Chainat Province on September 24, drifting 13km downriver before wedging against a bridge, prompting urgent removal efforts to prevent structural damage.
Heavy rainfall pounding Chainat Province triggered an alarming incident on September 24 when a large steel raft, originally moored in front of Thammamul Temple in Muang Chainat District, broke free and was swept downstream along the turbulent Chao Phraya River. The raft drifted more than 13 kilometers through the heart of Chainat town before becoming stuck against a new bridge in Thaichai Subdistrict. Deputy Transport Minister Patthrapong Pattapraserti, Chainat Governor Bhumiwat Udmthrrup, and officials from relevant agencies rushed to the scene to assess the situation and plan an urgent response. The Chainat Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (District 16) is mobilizing staff from the Royal Irrigation Department and Chainat Volunteer Foundation volunteers to rapidly remove and extract the steel raft from its position against the bridge to prevent it from ramming into the bridge structure, which could cause serious damage and endanger public safety for those using the route.
