Thailand counts cost of climate crisis as tourists in Chiang Mai warned of flood risks

The Mekong region has been contending with flash floods since Super Typhoon Yagi tore through northern Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar earlier this month, killing hundreds of people in floods and landslides and destroying bridges, roads and houses.

Floodwaters from rivers swollen by fresh storms since Yagi have cascaded downstream to northern Thailand. Images shared on Facebook from Chiang Rai province have shown muddy torrents carrying cars and tractors through narrow hillside villages.

Late Wednesday, Chiang Mai’s famous night bazaar was submerged by over a metre of water, forcing tourists to wade out of the area.