Chinese tourist dies in Chiang Mai flash flood

[misskit]

A 26-year-old female Chinese tourist drowned after she was swept away by flash flood while visiting a waterfall in Mae Taeng district of Chiang Mai yesterday (Sept 5).

According to Mae Taeng district police, a group of 11 tourists and a Thai guide was visiting Huay Satan waterfall at about 4.30pm yesterday.

But without any warning, flash flood came while four tourists were walking across the stream.

Three were immediately rescued except the female tourist who was swept away by the strong current.

She was later plucked from the water but was dead.

Police said they have not yet filed charge against the tour company and the Thai guide reasoning it was a natural disaster.

But her death prompted local authorities and park rangers at all tourist spots to closely monitor water levels and to put up signs to warn visitors against swimming in waterfalls for risk of danger from flash floods.

Chinese tourist dies in Chiang Mai's flash flood - Thai PBS English News

[Wilsonandson]

R.I.P

[Wilsonandson]

Be very careful when visiting waterfalls over here in Thailand. I went on holiday to Chiang Mai and went on a day tour with a guide to a couple of waterfalls. At one of them the guide asked would anyone like to climb to the top and see the view from the top of the waterfall. I said no, and he took those who did with him. I then changed my mind and started to follow the guide.

Near the top I saw a way in to look at the waterfall. But it was slippery to walk on and I was starting to slide down the rocks. I went on all fours and clambered back up to where I got in. On the floor I noticed a broken sign made of wood. I picked it up and it said DANGER in English and something in Thai in red paint.

I returned to the tour bus and told the guide when he returned what had happened. He said that someone had fallen off the top of that waterfall 3 years before and died. He was angry with me for going up on my own. He was moody all the rest of the day with me. I felt like a fool. Anyway, be careful when your out in the wild.

[misskit]

Flash flood warning systems to be checked at all waterfalls in Chiang Mai


Authorities in Chiang Mai province asked local officials to check flash flood warning systems at all waterfalls in national parks following the death of a Chinese female tourist after she was swept away by enormous rush of water while visiting a waterfall in Mae Taeng district.

Relevant local government agencies and the private sector, particularly tour companies met yesterday to discuss safety measures for visiting waterfalls during the rainy season.

Instruction was given to park officials, disaster relief local officials and communities to check all the existing flood warning systems, monitor weather forecast closely and issue flood alert to residents as well as visitors to waterfalls in their areas.

Special attention was given to waterfalls in popular Doi Suthep-Pui, and Doi Inthanon national parks most frequented by foreign tourists.

Tour companies were also instructed to tighten more safety measures on arranging adventure tours while cooperating with local authorities to establish coordination centre to assist tourists, as well as exploring safe alternative route for tourists to use to avoid waterfall routes in case of torrential rainfall in the areas.

Flash flood warning systems to be checked at all waterfalls in Chiang Mai - Thai PBS English News