A flash flood struck Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai on Aug. 15 and swept tourists downstream after they had ventured onto rocks in the water. Park rangers later brought the group to safety, and access to the site remained restricted afterward.
Arttie Martin at Mae Sa Waterfall
Arttie Martin said he was moments from entering the water to take a photo when a park officer blew a whistle. He said, “It was truly a matter of split seconds,” and added, “I was just about to take off my shoes and walk into the middle to follow the foreigners and take a photo of the waterfall.”
Martin said he shared footage of the incident as a warning to other travelers. He also said, “Especially during the rainy season, when visiting waterfalls, you should exercise extra caution, observe warning signs and instructions from staff, and continuously monitor the color, level and current speed of the water, as conditions can change extremely quickly,” describing the pace of change around waterfalls in Thailand during that season.
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
Video from Doi Suthep-Pui National Park showed rushing water surrounding the group. Several people held onto each other and tried to stay on their feet before some were swept downstream by the force of the water. One tourist struggled through the current while others screamed for help.
The group reportedly suffered only minor scratches and received first aid. That detail sits next to the video’s more alarming images: tourists being carried by the current even as the injuries remained limited.
Access to Mae Sa Waterfall
Park rangers helped bring the tourists to safety after the flood. Access to Mae Sa Waterfall remained restricted after the incident, leaving visitors unable to treat the area as an open stop until the restriction is lifted.
