CHANTHABURI, Thailand – A flash flood swept through resorts in Makham district, Chanthaburi, late Wednesday night, leaving 48 tourists stranded on the second floors of buildings after water levels surged to more than two meters. The tourists were safe after moving upstairs in time when heavy rain caused runoff from upstream areas to rapidly flood resorts in Chamun and Patthawi subdistricts.
Authorities said two resorts were affected. One resort in Chamun had 28 tourists trapped after floodwaters submerged the ground floor, damaging electrical appliances, more than 10 refrigerators, a coffee shop area and vehicles. Three tourist vehicles and five resort vehicles were damaged, with estimated losses of between 300,000 and 500,000 baht.
Another 20 tourists were stranded at a resort in Moo 6, Ban Thap Nakhon, Patthawi subdistrict. Officials said all 48 tourists remained safe and chose not to evacuate because the second-floor areas were considered secure. The flash floods also affected local communities, with residents in several areas of Makham district hit by rapidly rising water. Rescue teams, municipal officials and the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office Region 17 in Chanthaburi rushed to assist residents. In Patthawi subdistrict, rescue workers used boats to evacuate 13 people from three households in high-risk areas.
By Wednesday afternoon, water levels had started to stabilize, with some floodwater draining into nearby waterways and Khlong Pong Rong Sen. Officials said the situation was expected to gradually improve if there was no further heavy rainfall. Authorities continue to warn residents to remain alert for flash floods, forest runoff and water accumulation due to heavy rainfall in upstream areas between July 26 and 30. The overall damage in Makham district affected three subdistricts and eight villages, with 30 households and around 70 residents impacted. Infrastructure damage included a collapsed section of Road 3329 near the Kiri Than project, as well as damage to Lung Plern Bridge and several local roads. Officials remain on 24-hour flood watch due to the risk of additional runoff from mountain areas.
