On September 12th, the mobile health unit of the Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (PPAT) continued its field operation at Wat Tham Phachom, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, which was the first village to receive the surge of flash floods coming from the Myanmar side. The floodwaters brought mud that inundated houses and reached inside living areas. This operation provided health checkups and reproductive health education to people affected by flooding and landslides, including Thai citizens, migrant workers, and ethnic groups. Services were provided without discrimination based on race, religion, or ethnicity. The operation was led by Ms. Kornrawee Sanduang, Project Manager, along with the working team and the PPAT Mae Sot team from Tak Province. Services included the distribution of contraceptive supplies to prevent unplanned pregnancy, voluntary blood testing, distribution of basic medicines, wound care, screening for sexually transmitted infections, as well as education on reproductive health, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and family planning.
The operation was carried out under the project “Meeting the Essential SRH Needs of Communities Affected by Floods and Landslides in Northern Thailand,” with funding support from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).
From discussions with affected residents during the field visit, it was found that the main road in the village had already been cleared of mud, along with parts of some homes. However, some riverside houses were completely swept away. While most homes were deemed habitable, residents had not yet returned as household items had been washed away, including kitchenware, bedding, and electrical appliances, which were soaked and no longer usable. Some homes had been completely destroyed.
