By Sarah Goff-Tunks, Caitlin Maloney and Jessica O’Bryan

For residents of Mae Sai, the northernmost district of Thailand, the remnants of flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi are everywhere, with mud lining streets, businesses and homes, and some properties losing an entire level submerged in the sludge.

Yagi was the worst tropical cyclone to hit Southeast Asia in 2024, causing the Sai River, which runs through the district, to burst its banks after months of torrential rain throughout September, October and November.

Mae Sai serves as a vital border crossing for neighbouring Myanmar, with two border checkpoints severely damaged, impacting trade and the livelihoods of residents in both countries.

Three months on, residents are still picking up the pieces, cleaning up whatever damage they can — although many houses and businesses are beyond repair.

Volunteers have been providing assistance to flood victims,  clearing out mud-laden houses and donating supplies. However, volunteer numbers are dwindling, according to Damian Glabala, who has been leading a recovery team in Mae Sai since September.

The Thai government has introduced response measures, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visiting Mae Sai in December 2024, announcing low-cost loans for businesses impacted by the floods.

Shinawatra also promised to build a flood wall over the next three years to prepare for disasters in the future.

Still, many residents are left asking themselves as the effects of climate change become more extreme, is it worth rebuilding at all?

Main image of Thai-Myanmar border checkpoint by Caitlin Maloney.

Additional reporting and translations by Pawika Dhammlongkrot, Narawitch Theangprasert, Pitchaya Won and Jatupat Wittayapraparat.

UTS journalism students travelled to Thailand as part of The Foreign Correspondent Study Tour, a University of Technology Sydney programme supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s New Colombo Plan, and working with Chiang Mai University strategic communications students in association with Chiang Mai University.