BANGKOK, Thailand – Nakhon Ratchasima is facing severe flooding in multiple areas, prompting emergency evacuations of residents for safety. Authorities have reported the recovery of a man from Phimai district who was swept away on a motorcycle by strong floodwaters.
Video footage captured by local residents on the evening of September 8 showed flash floods rushing into roads in Ban Rangka Yai, Rangka Yai subdistrict, Phimai district. Heavy rain caused water levels to rise rapidly, creating fast-flowing currents. A man riding a motorcycle attempted to cross the floodwaters near the central village intersection of Ban Tapan, despite warnings from villagers. The floodwaters swept him and his vehicle away.
Around midnight on September 9, water levels began to recede. Villagers discovered a red Honda Wave motorcycle with the key still in the ignition and a fuel tank floating near Phimai Samakki 1 School. The body of 35-year-old Somchai was found in a drainage pipe beside the school wall. Rescue teams retrieved the body and sent it to Phimai Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Flash Floods Sweep Residents from Homes
Footage also captured villagers being swept away by flash floods at Ban Tapan, Rangka Yai subdistrict. Torrential rains from Huai Thalang district caused water to rush into homes, sweeping away possessions and vehicles. Disaster prevention officers and villagers had to evacuate residents, including a young boy, who was pulled to safety by family members. Locals described this year’s flood as the worst in a decade, with water levels and currents previously unseen.
Clearing Roads and Managing Water Flow
During the night, water levels on the Phimai–Chum Phuang road near Phimai Samakki 1 School reached over 30 centimeters along a 1-kilometer stretch. Police closed the road to prevent accidents. Local authorities used heavy machinery to remove a central road divider to allow water to flow, expecting normal levels in 4–5 hours if rain does not continue.
Rescue teams reported one missing person whose motorcycle was swept away by floodwaters; search efforts are ongoing. Authorities also cleared damaged road surfaces, with Phimai Dam opening sluice gates to manage incoming water, preventing overflow into economic and historical zones.
Mae Hong Son Flash Floods Cut Off Villages
In Mae Hong Son, heavy rainfall in Mae Sariang district triggered flash floods in mountain villages, making some routes impassable. At Ban Huai Kong Pae, Huai Khong subdistrict, water from upstream areas surged down into local streams, cutting off access. Residents carried a patient over eight kilometers on foot to reach a vehicle for hospital transport, taking over two hours.
Similarly, in the Saohin border area, flash floods blocked access to a 55-year-old male patient from Ban Mae Tob, Huai Khong subdistrict, who had suffered a head injury on September 7. He had to wait several hours until villagers could carry him to Sala Chiang Tong Health Center. Due to seizures, the patient was later airlifted by a military helicopter (H.212) with the Sky Doctor emergency team to Mae Sariang Hospital.
Community Efforts to Restore Access
After landslides blocked main roads following heavy rain on September 6, residents of Ban Huai Haeng, Huai Khong subdistrict, worked together to repair the Ban Huai Haeng–Ban Pa Mak road, restoring access for emergency transport. They also surveyed damage to agriculture, including rice fields, fish ponds, and corn farms, as well as water supply systems and small hydroelectric facilities, which were partially affected.
Authorities continue to monitor water levels and coordinate with local communities to ensure safety and restore essential infrastructure. (TNA)
