From 29 August to 1 September 2025, the Thailand Rescue Dog Association (Thai-RDA), an IRO member organisation, deployed a Search and Rescue Dog Unit to Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai, following devastating flash floods and a mudslide. The disaster left a trail of destruction, with homes lost and families grieving loved ones.

Thai-RDA mobilised five handlers and six specially trained search dogs after a 12-hour journey from Bangkok and Khao Yai. Working alongside the Royal Thai Police, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the Royal Thai Army, and other disaster response organisations, the team joined the coordinated effort to locate three missing family members: a young mother, her five-year-old daughter, and her nephew of the same age.

The search environment posed severe challenges. Steep mountainous terrain, unstable debris fields, deep mud, and continuous rainfall created a hazardous operational setting. Risks increased further as new heavy rains moved into the region, causing more floods and mudslides. Yet, the search dogs and their handlers pressed on with professionalism and determination.

To ensure accuracy in such complex conditions, Thai-RDA implemented a dual-verification system: each search area was systematically covered by two different dogs at separate times. This approach proved decisive in Zone D, where search dog Lilly first indicated a point of interest at a muddy pond. Her alert was confirmed by search dog Sahara, leading to the recovery of the 23-year-old mother, who had been deeply buried beneath the mud.

Further searches in the same area revealed strong repeated indications from multiple search dogs for the two missing children. Due to unstable terrain, heavy debris and a lack of specialised equipment, the recovery could not be completed within the mission timeframe.

Despite extreme risks and challenges, the mission highlighted the vital role of trained search dogs in post-disaster environments. Their extraordinary scenting skills proved vital in guiding recovery efforts where human capacities reach their limits.

We express condolences to the affected families and are grateful for the work done by all rescue units.