Chiang Rai city woke up to a watery challenge on Friday morning. The streets, submerged in water, painted a surreal picture, as shared in a striking image by Chaiyawat Chaidet on the Chiang Rai public relations office’s Facebook account.
Despite the inundation, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport is set to operate eight flights in total on Friday—four arriving and four departing. However, passengers are strongly urged to allocate an ample five-hour buffer to make it to the terminal due to the severe flooding.
The airport is set to welcome flights from leading carriers including Thai Airways International, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai AirAsia. Yet, the verdict is still out for Thai VietJet, as the airline hasn’t confirmed its operations for the day.
If you’re one of the passengers gearing up for a journey, make sure to stay in the loop with your airline for the latest updates. Flight schedules are currently in a state of flux following a complete shutdown on Thursday, when all flights to Chiang Rai were cancelled. The deluge left many passengers stranded, even though the airport itself remained operational.
A word to the wise: steer clear of relying on small vehicles to navigate to the airport. The high water levels have made such modes of transport hazardous, and options are limited.
Mother Nature may have thrown a curveball at Chiang Rai, but with a bit of planning and patience, travelers can still navigate these watery hurdles. Stay dry, stay safe, and happy travels!
This flooding situation is just a taste of what’s to come if we don’t address climate change seriously. These extreme weather events will only become more frequent and severe.
It’s not all due to climate change. Poor city planning and inadequate drainage systems are also to blame. They should have been better prepared for the monsoon season.
Exactly! Even with climate change, having effective infrastructure can mitigate the damage. The local government should prioritize this.
Both infrastructure and climate change need to be addressed. It’s not an either/or situation. Comprehensive plans considering both factors are necessary.
I can’t believe they are still operating flights in these conditions. It’s an unnecessary risk for passengers and airport staff.
People need to get to their destinations. Completely shutting down the airport isn’t a viable option unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Safety should come first, though. If the flooding is severe, it’s better to delay flights rather than risk lives.
Exactly my point. Safety should be the top priority here. The inconvenience of delays is nothing compared to potential accidents.
Alright, I can see your point. But I hope they’re assessing the situation constantly. Balancing safety and necessity is tough.
I live in Chiang Rai, and the local government has been terrible at handling the flooding. They knew the monsoon was coming!
True! The government should have had a better emergency response plan in place. Every year we face the same issues.
I lived there a few years ago, and it seems nothing has changed. It’s disappointing to see the same problems year after year.
Absolutely! And the lack of communication makes it worse. I found out about the airport re-opening through social media, not official channels.
I was supposed to fly out today but decided to postpone my trip. It’s not worth the hassle and potential danger.
Good call. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Hope things clear up soon.
Honestly, if you know the conditions are bad, just don’t travel. Common sense ain’t that common, it seems.
Some people don’t have the luxury of choice. They may have essential reasons for traveling. It’s not fair to judge without knowing their situation.
I get that, but putting oneself in danger isn’t smart either. Everyone needs to assess their own risk and make informed decisions.
I was stranded at the airport yesterday. It was chaos! The officials were unprepared and no clear information was given.
That sounds terrible! They should have had a better communication plan in place. Emergencies are when information is most crucial.
Exactly! Ended up booking a hotel room for the night, but it was more expensive than usual because everyone else had the same idea.
These floods could be a wake-up call to better manage our natural resources and rethink urban planning. Just building higher walls isn’t a long-term solution. We need to work with nature, not against it.
Props to the airport staff who are still working in these conditions. They must be under a lot of stress. It’s commendable!
Absolutely! It’s easy to criticize the operations, but we often forget about the people on the ground doing their best.
Yeah, they deserve some acknowledgement for their hard work. It’s not easy keeping things running in a disaster situation.
Why can’t they provide free or discounted transportation for passengers to ensure they get to the airport safely? This would make the situation less stressful for everyone.
That would require coordination and funding, which local governments often lack in emergencies.
True, but maybe airlines could chip in. They have a vested interest in getting their passengers to the airport safely too.
Good point. Airlines and local authorities need better collaboration when it comes to crisis management.
Let’s hope the water levels go down soon. This is not just about travel; the everyday lives of local residents are heavily impacted.
This is a logistical nightmare! Why weren’t there contingency plans in place? It’s almost like they waited until the last minute to do anything.
My heart goes out to the people of Chiang Rai. Natural disasters can disrupt lives in unimaginable ways. Stay strong, Chiang Rai!
Thank you. We’re trying to stay positive and help each other out.