Thailand is a highly popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year who come to relax on its marvelous beaches, admire its stunning natural beauty, and immerse themselves in the values of Buddhism. Travelers should be aware in advance of the potential natural disasters or catastrophes they may encounter. While natural disasters are always unexpected, being informed about their possibilities allows for better preparation.
Climatic Characteristics of Thailand
Thailand spans two climatic zones: tropical and sub-equatorial. The humid tropical climate covers the northern and central regions, while the subequatorial climate encompasses the coastal and southern regions. Regardless of the zone, Thailand experiences just two seasons: dry and wet, determined by the monsoons—seasonal winds blowing either from the ocean or the mainland.
The rainy season in Thailand commences with the arrival of the southwest monsoon, typically running from April to November and sometimes extending into mid-December in certain areas. The East Coast (Pattaya, Samui) experiences its heaviest rainfall in September and October, while the western coast (Phuket, Krabi) encounters the most rain in May and September.
The dry season spans from December to April, influenced by tropical air masses.
The country’s landscape is primarily flat, featuring low plateaus covered with jungle. Mountains rise in the northwest, reaching heights of over 2,000 meters. Thailand is dotted with numerous karst caves.
Approximately one-third of the country is covered by forests. Thailand’s rivers are deep with strong currents and can experience rapid water level increases during the day.
Potential factors that can trigger natural disasters include:
- Seismic activity: Although relatively low, Thailand has recorded earthquakes of up to a magnitude of 7.
- Extensive coastline: It is susceptible not only to storms but also to tsunamis.
- Volcanism: While Thailand has no active volcanoes, nearby Indonesian volcanoes pose a substantial threat.
- Seasonal hurricanes and storms: These can cause flooding, surges, and destruction during the summer monsoon.
- Heavy rainfall: Leading to abrupt changes in river levels and flash floods.
- Mountainous terrain: In the rainy season, there is a significant risk of landslides and rockfalls.
The Significance of Studying the History of Natural Disasters
Learning about the history of natural disasters is crucial information to gather before traveling to any destination. Being aware of potential risks not only helps in selecting the right place but also in timing your visit to minimize the chances of encountering a natural disaster.
For example, knowing that most of Thailand experiences the highest levels of precipitation in August-October allows travelers to choose alternative times to visit the country.
This article provides insight into the chronology of past natural disasters that have occurred in Thailand.
Earthquakes
Thailand is situated in a region with a low level of tectonic activity. While minor earthquakes are occasionally felt here, major earthquakes are exceedingly rare. Below is a list of the most devastating earthquake occurrences:
23 March 1889, Myanmar
An earthquake in Central Burma was one of the most powerful in the region, exceeding a magnitude of 8. The towns of Mandalay and Mingun in Burma suffered severe damage. The Irrawaddy River even experienced a reversal of its flow. Although the earthquake’s effects reached Bangkok, there were no reported casualties.
6 November 1988, China-Myanmar Border
This earthquake struck the Shan border plateau at 9 pm with a magnitude of 7. It resulted in 939 fatalities and over 7,000 injuries in areas directly adjacent to the epicenter. Additionally, almost 200,000 buildings were destroyed. The city of Chiang Rai in Thailand was affected, resulting in significant damage to many houses.
24 March 2011, Myanmar
The epicenter of this earthquake was near the border of Myanmar and Thailand, with tremors exceeding a magnitude of 6.8. It led to the destruction of hundreds of buildings and resulted in 150 casualties, with only one reported in Thailand. Once again, the northernmost Thai city, Chiang Rai, was affected.
5 May 2014, Chiang Rai
This time, the epicenter of the tremors was located on the territory of Thailand, 27 kilometers west of the frequently affected Chiang Rai. The amplitude of the tremors measured 6.1 points, causing damage to numerous houses, cracks in roadways, and temporary closure of Chiang Rai International Airport. One person lost their life, and several others sought medical attention.
Tsunami
Only truly catastrophic tsunamis, which result from major earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, reach the shores of Thailand. These perilous events are extremely rare, and it is nearly impossible to predict their occurrence, but their consequences can be devastating. The most destructive tsunami in the history of the kingdom continues to haunt the memories of the local population.
26 December 2004
Following the most powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 9.3 near Sumatra Island, a massive tsunami wave struck all the countries in the Indian Ocean region. In Thailand, the resort provinces of Phuket and Krabi suffered the most severe impact. The wave reached a height of 6 meters along the coasts of Phuket and Phi Phi Islands, and even 10 meters in the city of Khao Lak. The maximum extent of tsunami inundation on land exceeded 2 kilometers. Numerous buildings and roads were destroyed, yachts and boats were wrecked. The total death toll in Thailand surpassed 8,000 people.
Storms and Hurricanes
The hurricane season in Thailand begins in August and extends until the end of November. During this period, powerful cyclones develop in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in prolonged rainfall and flooding across mainland Thailand. The coastal regions along the Gulf of Thailand are particularly vulnerable to typhoons.
The following storms have been the most severe in recent years:
25-26 November 1962
Tropical storm Harriet made landfall on the Gulf of Thailand’s coast, bringing hurricane-force winds and a storm surge that devastated several villages. As it moved inland, the wave destroyed over 10,000 houses, resulting in the loss of 900 lives.
1-4 November 1989
Typhoon «Gay» struck the Gulf of Thailand’s coast. Although the typhoon was short-lived and not exceptionally powerful, its impact was devastating. In numerous settlements, all buildings were swept away, and the total death toll exceeded 860 people. The storm’s passage caused over 11 billion baht in damages.
3 November 1997
Tropical Typhoon Linda passed over the Gulf of Thailand and hit Nakhonsithammarat province. The typhoon came ashore in a weakened state, but fishermen who were unable to return to the shore suffered the consequences. A total of 164 people lost their lives at sea.
2 October 2006
Typhoon «Xangxane,» which had caused extensive destruction in the Philippines, weakened and reached the Thai coast. Despite its diminished intensity, it still inflicted considerable damage on coastal infrastructure. Approximately 2,000 square kilometers of rice fields and other plantations were inundated, leading to 47 fatalities.
Floods
During the rainy season, which typically extends from late spring to November, heavy rainfall often leads to flooding. Some rivers can rise by 1–2 meters in a single day, inundating the surrounding areas. Generally, such floods are short-lived and do not cause significant damage, as the region has grown accustomed to these phenomena. However, floods resulting from tropical storms are a different matter, as they can indeed be catastrophic and result in numerous casualties. Here are some examples of such floods:
4 October 1990
The passage of tropical storm Ira resulted in severe flooding in Ubonratchathani province. Extensive areas of agricultural land and several towns were submerged. Twenty-four people lost their lives, and the damage exceeded 6 billion baht.
24 August 1997
Tropical Hurricane Zita swept over the northern part of the country, leading to heavy rains and subsequent flooding. Forty-nine people perished, and the damage reached 3 billion baht.
22 November 2000
Flooding in southern Thailand, near the border with Malaysia, claimed 26 lives and caused damage amounting to 2 billion baht.
23 May 2006
Heavy rains triggered a catastrophic rise in river levels in several northern provinces of the kingdom, leading to devastating flooding. As a result, 87 people drowned.
October-December 2010
Extensive flooding swept through the southern and central provinces of the country. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed, agricultural fields were inundated, and the transportation network was damaged. The death toll totaled 260 people, and the damage exceeded 54 billion baht.
Floods in 2011
The floods in 2011 were the most catastrophic in the last 50 years. They commenced in late July and persisted until January 2012, spanning a total of 175 days. The disaster impacted 65 of the kingdom’s 76 provinces and affected more than 10 million people. Not only were homes and shops flooded, but also numerous large enterprises, including those in the automotive and electronics industries. For instance, due to the flooding of a factory producing hard disks for computers, there was a shortage of these components in the global market. In total, 15,000 enterprises and 800,000 houses were affected, and 616 people lost their lives. Various estimates indicate that the total damage exceeded 1 trillion baht.
Landslides
Severe landslides periodically affect the mountainous northern provinces of the kingdom. The primary cause of this natural disaster is heavy rains. While most landslides do not lead to serious consequences and destruction, there have been instances when they affected densely populated areas.
22 November 1988
Severe landslides in the mountains simultaneously affected two provinces, Phipun and Lan Saka. These disasters occurred as a result of exceptionally heavy rains. Flows of rocks and mud swept away houses and cars, destroying roads and power lines. In Phipun province, 230 people lost their lives, and 12 in Lan Sak. Authorities estimated the total damage at 1 billion baht.
2001
The start of the rainy season that year was marked by prolonged, relentless downpours. Consequently, several dangerous landslides occurred, with Wang Chin district in Phra province being at their epicenter. Forty-three people perished.
The second highest rainfall occurred in August of the same year, leading to numerous landslides once again. In Phetchabun province, 136 people died under rock debris, and another 109 sought medical attention.
Forest Fires
Despite the relatively humid climate and frequent precipitation, forest fires are not uncommon in Thailand, with the northern provinces being the most susceptible. Forested mountains increase the risk of fires, especially during the dry season.
For instance, in March 2020, more than 700 fires were registered near the city of Chiang Mai. Even Doi Suthep Pui National Park was ablaze. While the air in Chiang Mai was heavily polluted with combustion byproducts, there were no casualties.
In late March 2023, forests in Nakhannaiok province caught fire. The rugged terrain hindered rapid fire containment, leading to helicopters being called in for extinguishing the flames.
Smaller fires are regularly reported but typically do not cause significant damage.
Conclusion:
The greatest threat to tourists in Thailand is posed by tropical storms and cyclones. These are most prevalent from late summer to December, particularly impacting the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, where Pattaya and Samui are located. Fortunately, the coastal layout makes Pattaya almost invulnerable to these storms.
Flooding is also highly dangerous, potentially affecting large regions along the coast and in the central provinces during the rainy season, which occurs from May to October.
Rainfall can also lead to landslides, primarily affecting the less touristy northern regions.
The most perilous areas for tsunamis are the shores of the Andaman Sea, where resorts like Phuket and Krabi are situated. Predicting tsunamis in advance is nearly impossible.
Earthquakes in the country are only common in the mountainous northern regions, where several tectonic plates converge. The central and southern regions of the kingdom are not earthquake-prone.
Forest fires are frequent in the kingdom during the winter but usually do not significantly inconvenience tourists. Their main hotspots are in the mountainous northern regions.
The optimal time to travel to Thailand is from late December to April when precipitation is minimal, tropical storms subside, and air and water temperatures remain comfortable.