Severe Flooding Outside Chiang Rai Airport Leads to Cancellations of Flights

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Picture from Facebook user.

 

Heavy flooding has struck the area outside Mae Fah Luang Airport in Chiang Rai, leading to the cancellation of all domestic flights to and from the province for September 12. Both Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports in Bangkok have announced the suspension of all domestic flights destined for Chiang Rai.

 

A Facebook user, Nittaya Namwiset, shared images of the flood outside Mae Fah Luang Airport, located in Ban Du, Mueang District, Chiang Rai. The images showed the airport’s access road completely submerged, blocking the entrance. The accompanying post read, "The water came very quickly this year, and it's much worse than before."

 

 

In addition to these disruptions, Mae Fah Luang Airport itself announced that VietJet and Lion Air have canceled all flights to and from Chiang Rai until further notice. Passengers with other airlines are advised to wait for official updates regarding their flights.

 

 

Notice issued by AOT.

 

-- 2024-09-12

 

 

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[impulse]

Are there any websites posting realtime maps of the flooding situation, like they had during the 2011 floods?

 

[novacova]

Google map has some for current events…

Edited September 12 by novacova

[novacova]

34 minutes ago, impulse said:

Are there any websites posting realtime maps of the flooding situation, like they had during the 2011 floods?

 

 Not maps, but the data is good information to keep an eye on for anyone in a potential flood zone in the mae ping region...
 

http://hydro-1.net/Data/HD-04/houly/hourly_level.php
 

http://hydro-1.rid.go.th/Data/HD-04/houly/water_today.php?water=แม่น้ำปิง&station_id1=P.75&station_id2=P.103

 

Can select another northern river basin from the dropdown menu, though its not behaving for me for whatever reason.

Edited September 12 by novacova

[impulse]

Just now, novacova said:

http://hydro-1.net/Data/HD-04/houly/hourly_level.php
 

http://hydro-1.rid.go.th/Data/HD-04/houly/water_today.php?water=แม่น้ำปิง&station_id1=P.75&station_id2=P.103

 

Thanks for that.  I'm staying where Google Maps is blocked. 

 

[Georgealbert]

Chiang Mai Airport Assists Passengers Affected by Chiang Rai Floods

 

 

Notices issued by effected airlines

 

Chiang Mai International Airport has stepped in to provide assistance and convenience to passengers impacted by severe flooding in Chiang Rai province. Recent flooding across several areas in northern Thailand, including Chiang Rai, has inundated the areas surrounding Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai International Airport. In response, several airlines have cancelled flights to Chiang Rai and introduced measures to help affected passengers change their travel schedules or reroute flights through Chiang Mai International Airport.

 

On September 12, Group Captain Ronakorn Chalermsaenyakorn, Director of Chiang Mai International Airport, convened a meeting with relevant agencies, including the Northern Meteorological Centre, Wing 41, Chiang Mai Provincial Transport Office, and the Airline Operators Committee (AOC), to assess the situation and discuss the impact. The meeting also outlined procedures to facilitate affected passengers.

 

Chiang Mai International Airport has set up a special coordination centre near the domestic terminal’s information counter to assist passengers rerouted to Chiang Mai. The centre provides advice and helps passengers who need to continue their journey to Chiang Rai. Thai Airways has deployed larger aircraft to accommodate passengers from cancelled flights at Mae Fah Luang Airport, while Thai Lion Air has not only increased aircraft capacity but also added two special flights to manage the surge in passengers.

 

Passengers needing to travel onward to Chiang Rai can use public transportation or hire private cars at fixed rates. If the flooding persists or affects more passengers, the Chiang Mai Provincial Transport Office may arrange shuttle services. Chiang Mai Airport has designated parking space at the southern bus parking area near the international terminal for these services.

 

-- 2024-09-12

 

 

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[Georgealbert]

Another way to track the flooding is from satellite imaging on this site.

 

https://disaster.gistda.or.th/

[Georgealbert]

Mae Fah Luang Airport Remains Safe from Flooding, but Access Roads Are Difficult; Commercial Flights Suspended as Airport Assists with Disaster Relief Operations

 

 

Picture of airport entrance.

 

Flight Lieutenant Somchanok Thiamthiarat, Director of Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai International Airport, clarified to the media that despite circulating reports of the airport's closure, the airport itself remains operational. The Mae Fah Luang Airport, located in Ban Du subdistrict, Mueang district of Chiang Rai, is surrounded by floodwaters as the Kok River has overflowed its banks, making access to the airport difficult for passengers.

 

The director emphasised that the airport’s passenger terminal and runway remain unaffected by the flood. Aircraft can still take off and land as normal within the airport grounds. However, due to the difficulty and extended travel time caused by flooding around the area, commercial airlines have opted to cancel their flights.

 

In response to the situation, Mae Fah Luang Airport has been repurposed to serve as a hub for disaster relief operations, assisting in efforts to support those affected by the floods in Chiang Rai province. Despite this, the airport remains capable of handling commercial flights, and efforts are being made to ensure that no passengers are left stranded.

 

Floodwaters are concentrated around the main entrance of Mae Fah Luang Airport, as well as other key access routes. These flooded areas lie along the roads connecting the southern and northern parts of the province, which are divided by the Kok River.

 

Video of the airport entrance on September 12.

 

-- 2024-09-12

 

 

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[Georgealbert]

Announcement on September 13: Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai Airport confirms that it is now open for normal service.