Doi Suthep-Pui temporarily closes Mae Sa Waterfall after flash flood
Minor injuries were reported, but all visitors are safe, as the national parks director-general has issued advance flood warnings and ordered tighter 24-hour monitoring nationwide.
- Mae Sa Waterfall in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park has been temporarily closed to visitors, effective Saturday.
- The closure was prompted by a flash flood triggered by heavy rain, which swept through the waterfall area.
- The measure was implemented to protect visitors' lives and property; the waterfall will reopen when conditions return to normal.
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park has temporarily closed Mae Sa Waterfall to visitors, effective Saturday (August 15, 2026), until conditions return to normal.
Heavy rain in the upper part of the mountain at 4.20pm on Saturday triggered a flash flood that swept down into the Mae Sa Waterfall area.
The park said the closure was intended to protect visitors’ lives and property.
It will remain in effect until conditions return to normal, and a further announcement will be issued when the site can reopen.
Visitors have been asked to follow officials’ instructions strictly and avoid approaching the waterfall and waterways for the time being.
National parks director-general orders nationwide safety and advance flood warnings
With heavy rain continuing in many areas and increasing the risk of flash floods, Athapol Charoenshunsa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, issued urgent instructions to every Protected Area Regional Office across the country.
He ordered tighter safeguards for tourists visiting national parks and wildlife sanctuaries for recreation and nature study, directed all officers to act proactively and issue prompt warnings of flash floods, and instructed them to enforce safety measures strictly and decisively to prevent unexpected incidents.
The order followed an urgent report from Thongchai Narat, chief of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, that a sudden flash flood had struck Mae Sa Waterfall at 4.20pm, with minor injuries reported among tourists.
Officers stationed at the site issued warnings and assisted in arranging safe transport to hospital in a municipal rescue vehicle.
All tourists were later confirmed safe.
Athapol said that although the incident caused no serious injuries or deaths, it was a reminder that every agency under the department needed to raise safety measures to the highest level, particularly during the rainy season, when weather conditions were highly variable.
He ordered every national park and wildlife sanctuary with natural attractions such as waterfalls or streams to strengthen 24-hour monitoring.
Officials must assess conditions and issue warnings before a serious incident develops.
They must also act decisively and enforce regulations strictly.
Tourists were asked to listen to and follow officials’ instructions closely.
Officials should consider declaring any area deemed at risk closed and strictly prohibiting entry to ensure the highest level of public safety.
“The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation requests that all tourists comply strictly with warning signs, officials’ advice and official announcements. Anyone who notices anything unusual or needs assistance in a national park may alert the officer on duty at the site or call the forest protection hotline on 1362, which is available 24 hours a day.”
