Border trade halted as Mae Sot inundated

TAK’S MAE Sot district continued to suffer from what has been described as the worst flooding to hit the area in 20 years, with the rising Moei River bringing Thai-Myanmar border trade to a total halt for four days, causing Bt1.2 billion in lost business. 

Banpot Korkiatcharoen, honorary chairman of the Tak provincial chamber of commerce, said the flood situation in Mae Sot had stabilised, and cars could access roads, but Rim Moei Market along the border was still inundated. He described the flooding, which was triggered by a week of rainfall, as the worst in 20 years as it had lasted for four days and counting – compared to previous flash floods that lasted two days at most. Mae Sot’s economy, in particular its Bt300-million-a-day border trade, had been adversely affected, he said. 

As some areas of Mae Sot were still without power due to the high waters, Tak Deputy Governor Suwat Phronsuwan yesterday morning presented 500 relief bags and 500 bags of rice to residents of 20 flood-hit communities at Wat Don Kaew School. 

Deputy Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan said after a Cabinet meeting yesterday that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is on an overseas trip, was greatly concerned about flooding in 25 provinces and had instructed the Interior Ministry and the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department to speedily aid flood-hit people.

Two villages at the foot of Khao Yai in Prachin Buri’s Muang district were hit by a flash flood late on Monday night. Local officials planned to dredge Khlong Chanthu to help drain floodwater into the Prachin Buri River more quickly.

In Kanchanaburi’s Sangkhlaburi district, forest run-off swept about 30 food-sellers’ rafts, along with floating fish baskets, some 40 kilometres down river, tambon Wang Ka mayor Pakorn Noiket said yesterday. Pakorn was inspecting the scene of a landslide that damaged a 50-metre-long section of pipeline supplying raw water to the municipality’s tap-water system, which supports some 2,000 homes. The mayor said repairs to the pipeline would commence once the necessary tools and materials arrived in two days. The municipality could still provide tap water in the meantime, but it would flow more slowly than usual and stop from time to time, Pakorn said. 

Attempts to remove floating weeds from around the country’s longest wooden bridge, the Mon Bridge, were ongoing, but were being hampered by the strong current as the rain continued, the mayor said.

Up North, Chiang Mai’s Mae Ai, Mae Chaem and Mae On districts were also on alert for possible landslides and forest floods.