Netizens join forces to save pensioner trapped on roof of flooded house

A joint effort by Thai netizens has led to the safe rescue of a 86-year-old man, who had become stranded on the roof of a tent in Chiang Rai province for 18 hours.

Images of the man have been shared hundreds of times across social media platforms since yesterday. Netizens called on authorities to help him but, due to the strong currents in the area, he could not be reached initially.

Ultimately, a member of a jet-ski team, led by social media activist Guntouch Pongpaiboonwet, used a jet-ski to rescue the man at about 11am.

Pictures of the rescue operation, which showed the elderly man sitting on the towed paddleboard, were also widely shared on social media.

Many Facebook users posted and commented in appreciation for the team’s efforts, while others offered moral support to the man and others affected by the flooding.

On September 10, continuous heavy rainfall in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai caused a sudden and severe flooding. The water level rose rapidly, reaching higher the second floor within just a few hours.

The Puenruamlok Facebook page published pictures today, showing a severely flooded temple with many parked cars seen floating away.

Photo: Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province

The caption reads: “Monks at the temple are appealing for help as about 40 people are trapped there by the flooding. Most of the people in the community around the temple are elderly and live in single-story houses. They cannot climb onto the roofs to escape the rising the floodwater.”

The page did not, however, identify the temple. Later a netizen said the temple is Pasukaram.

Today, access to Doi Laem Village, in Mae Ai District of Chiang Mai province, was restored. Authorities and rescuers are now delivering food and water to about 1,000 people trapped in the affected area. A mudslide had cut all access to and from the village. Some people remain missing.

Photo: Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai province

In Mae Sai sub-district of Chiang Rai province, elderly residents trapped in the Mai Lung Khan community are now being evacuated as the floodwaters recede.