Thailand scrambles to save elephants from drowning in flood-stricken Chiang Mai

According to local authorities, the Ping River, which flows through the city of 115,000 residents, reached an all-time high in the evening.

Huge volumes of water from upstream districts flooded the popular tourist location, where both residents and visitors had to be brought to safety from affected areas.

Volunteers were working to hold back the advancing floodwaters with sandbags.

Many animals were also threatened, especially in elephant camps, where the animals were literally up to their necks in water, media and eyewitnesses reported.

In several locations in Chiang Mai, many elephants that were once mistreated and were then rescued live in such facilities, which can also be visited by tourists.

The Elephant Nature Park was particularly badly affected and sent out a call for help to the authorities.