Thailand’s most popular national park, Khao Yai, has been temporarily closed for at least two days after road access to the mountainous park became blocked by fallen trees and mudslides.
Major Narin Pinsakul, Chief of Khao Yai National Park, told Thai PBS this morning (Friday) that heavy rain over the past two days, induced by a strong low pressure cell, has swollen the Lamtakong River, inundating the tourist service centre and causing the mudslides.
He said that several large trees have been uprooted and have fallen onto the roads from the Noen Hom and Pak Chong sides, making them impassable to all vehicles, adding that officials are trying to clear the obstructions, which may take as long as 3 days.
The park’s Chief said that Khao Yai has never experienced so much rain, causing so much havoc, including the collapse of 6 or 7 utility poles, adding that park rangers have been on 24-hour alert at Haew Suwat Waterfall, to prevent elephants from falling into the steep waterfall.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed military, Interior Ministry and Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation agencies to be prepared to rush help people at scenes of flash flooding, according to Government Spokesman Mr. Anucha Burapachaisri today.
He added that the Prime Minister also advised people to stay updated on the weather forecast.
The Meteorological Department today issued its 13th announcement on the strong low pressure cell, which is moving across the southern region toward the Andaman Sea, as it forecasts heavy and isolated very heavy rain in the southern, central, eastern and lower northeastern regions.
Hard-hit provinces today are Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin and Si Sa Ket in the Northeast, the entire central region, the eastern provinces of Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Burin, Chachoengsao, Sa Kaew, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat and the southern provinces of Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Rayong, Phang-nga, Krabi, Satun and Phuket.
