Khao Sok flash floods force tourist evacuations in Thailand

Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods in the Khao Sok area of Surat Thani, Thailand, on September 19. The flooding caused the Sok Canal to overflow, inundating residential areas and riverside resorts.

Emergency responders, including the Phanom Rescue Foundation and Khao Sok National Park staff, utilized inflatable boats and safety ropes to evacuate both Thai and foreign tourists from the fast-moving waters. No injuries were reported during the initial rescue operations.

The flooding also impacted transportation, rendering a section of Highway 401 impassable for small vehicles. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation deployed high-clearance rescue vehicles to assist those stranded in deep water. While the affected highway section was temporarily closed, authorities directed travelers heading toward Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga to use Highway 4118 as an alternative route. Reports indicate that by September 20, Highway 401 had been reopened to traffic.