Chiang Mai Flooding: What Travelers Need to Know Right Now

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Current Flooding Situation in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, one of Thailand’s most popular tourist cities, recently experienced significant flooding due to heavy seasonal rains and the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi.

The Ping River reached a record high of 5.3 meters on October 4th. The situation has since improved, with the river now at 2.99 meters as of October 8th, a normal level.

Flooding affected 7 districts and impacted over 28,000 households, but the water has receded in most areas.

Evacuations and recovery efforts are ongoing, but conditions are stabilizing. The authorities have downgraded the flood alert to a green flag status, signaling a return to normal.

Flooding has receded in key areas such as Chang Khlan Road, the Night Bazaar, and Kad Luang Market, which were all about a meter under water. The city has done an incredible job of cleaning up the mud, debris, and damage left behind – The Night Bazaar is now back up and running. The surrounding neighborhood has work left to do.

Someone created this map of the flood.

If you’re planning to visit Doi Inthanon National Park or Chiang Rai, you should be fine to do so.

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Road and Transport Issues

The road situation has improved, with most major routes now passable as floodwaters recede.

The Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway and Mahidol Road near the airport are open, although some areas may still have minor disruptions.

Train services to Chiang Mai resumed on October 8th after a cleanup and restoration of facilities at Chiang Mai Station. The station reopened at 6PM on Tuesday, and all signaling equipment has been restored.

The Chiang Mai bus stations are also open.

Chiang Mai airport remains fully operational, making flights a reliable option for travel to the city.

Should You Change Your Travel Plans?

Now that conditions have improved significantly, and it’s ok to visit Chiang Mai.

The Old City and Nimman neighborhoods remain unaffected, so travelers sticking to these areas should be fine.

With the Ping River returning to normal levels and transport services resuming, Chiang Mai is bouncing back.

Keep an eye on current information and weather, as things are evolving day by day.

For up-to-date reports, the Chiang Mai News in English Facebook page is a reliable source, and following the city government’s announcements will be helpful.

Known Closures: Elephant Nature Park, Night Bazaar, and Warorot Market

Elephant Nature Park, a popular ethical sanctuary just outside the city, has been hit hard by the floods.

Tragically, two elephants drowned, and around 100 were evacuated. This is the sanctuary where I volunteered, and it’s devastating to see.

The park is closed until at least the end of October.

If you have a booking for the next few weeks, contact them at info@elephantnaturepark.org for more details. Check their Facebook page for the latest updates.

The Night Bazaar and Warorot Market have largely reopened, although some shops are still in the process of cleaning up and reopening. The markets are operational again, with limited hours in certain sections.

The Saturday and Sunday Night Walking Streets were unaffected and continue to operate as usual, with the Sunday Night Market proceeding without disruptions.