CHIANG MAI –Mae Chaem District in northern Thailand awoke to floods that had overtaken homes, markets, and fields. Torrential rain started on September 21 and caused the Mae Chaem River to overflow, sending muddy water rushing through streets and farmland.
What was expected to be a typical rainy season storm turned into a disaster, leaving many locals with no choice but to leave everything behind and seek safety. Within just 24 hours, the area saw over 150 millimetres of rain, according to the Thai Meteorological Department.
The heavy rainfall, made worse by consistent monsoon patterns and climate change, caused the riverbanks to fail.
By dawn on Tuesday, water levels had climbed over two metres higher than usual. In Chang Khoeng Subdistrict, the district’s hub for trade and community life, streets became rivers and neighbourhoods vanished under fast-moving water.
Most homes, even those built on stilts, could not withstand the pressure. Many collapsed, and personal belongings floated away.
Residents Woke Up to Floods
Somchai Boonmee, a 58-year-old rice farmer from Tha Pha village, told the Manager Online he found his home under knee-deep water by first light. “I woke up and water was right outside. Not long after, it was up to my waist. We grabbed whatever we could—clothes, photos, the children’s schoolbooks—and moved to higher ground. The fields are underwater.
The rice we planted last month is gone.” Stories like Somchai’s are common across Mae Chaem, where farming supports most of the 30,000 people. Entire fields of rice, corn, and coffee now lie under thick silt. Local officials believe farmland damages will cost at least 50 million baht (about $1.5 million), making life even harder for families already facing poverty.
The central market in Chang Khoeng, usually busy with shoppers and vendors, quickly filled with debris and water. Stalls collapsed, food spoiled, and small businesses were forced to shut. Noi Yimprasert, a grocery shop owner, watched as her stock was ruined. “This is the third flood this year. Tourists used to come for coffee and crafts.
How can we recover if this keeps going?” School buildings and government offices took on water too, closing classrooms and halting public services. More than 200 students had to relocate to temporary shelters, while local leaders moved their offices to a makeshift spot on higher ground.
Emergency Alerts Saved Lives
By the evening of September 23, there were no deaths reported, though the crisis displaced over 500 families, or around 2,000 residents. The elderly and people unable to move on their own faced the greatest danger.
Emergency crews, joined by Mae Chaem Volunteer Defence Unit 7, used inflatable boats to reach those stuck in their homes. District chief Kriangsak Boontapuan said, “We’re helping those most in need first. Emergency alerts helped save lives, but the water rose much faster than expected.”
This isn’t the first time Mae Chaem has been hit. The district sits at the edge of Doi Inthanon National Park and has a record of destructive weather. In August 2025, floods and landslides struck Ban Pang Ung, leading to seven deaths and many families losing their homes. Recovery was slow, with monks having to cross rivers to conduct funeral rites.
Widespread flooding during Typhoon Yagi in 2024 had already affected northern provinces, causing billions in damage and forcing many to leave. Experts say September and October are the riskiest times, as more buildings and fewer trees add to flooding threats. Reservoirs like Mae Ngat are nearly full already, offering little room for extra water.
To help, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation issued warnings by mobile phone to several provinces, including Chiang Mai, Lampang, Nan, Phetchabun, and Chiang Rai. Networks such as AIS, True, and NT made sure those in remote hamlets received messages warning them to lift belongings and pay attention to updates.
Calls for Long-Term Solutions
The DDPM has highlighted the risks of sudden floods, overflowing rivers, and landslides along key river basins. Other hard-hit districts, including Mae Sai in Chiang Rai, have started moving residents before the worst arrives, showing how closely the region’s rivers are connected.
Relief work is now underway. Provincial teams and non-profit groups have delivered aid. The Thai Red Cross sent in essentials like blankets, water filters, and medical supplies, while military helicopters are ready to reach isolated spots.
Hill tribe leaders, including those in Karen and Hmong communities, have stepped up to support those in need, using generators and sharing food at shelters set up in safer areas. Phra Ajarn, a respected village monk, said, “We’ve had floods before, but this is worse—they’re coming more often and hitting harder. We need long-term solutions, like stronger flood defences, more trees, and better warning systems.”
As clear weather returned on Wednesday, the district began to assess the damage. Teams worked to clear water from streets and count ruined homes. The damage is likely to outpace the 157 homes hit in earlier incidents.
The economic impact is severe. Coffee, one of Mae Chaem’s top exports, faces low yields and may cause prices to rise across the country. Tourism, which depends on visitors exploring the district’s mountains and waterfalls, has stopped completely. Nearby Ob Khan National Park is closed, worried about more runoff and landslides.
Still, communities aren’t giving up. Volunteers from Chiang Mai City travelled over 150 kilometres to deliver food and supplies, helping people get by and inspiring hope. Somchai stood on his muddy land and said, “We’ll start over, but we need help.” More rain is expected through the weekend, and Mae Chaem is bracing for whatever comes next. For local families, these floods make one thing clear: change is needed for survival.
