They were standing on the rocks, looking for the best angle, when the water changed their plans.
It happened on August 15 at Mae Sa Waterfall, inside Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. A group of tourists entered a restricted area —despite signs warning of the danger— to take photos next to the waterfall. Within seconds, a sudden surge, typical of the rainy season in the north of the country, transformed the tranquil landscape into a current trap. Videos recorded by witness Arttie Martin and shared on Facebook show people losing their balance and being swept away while other visitors and park rangers rushed to pull them out of the water.
No one died and there were no serious injuries, but the fright was captured on video for millions to see. Authorities closed the waterfall while they assess the site’s safety, although the underlying question remains open: how many warnings does it take for a selfie not to be worth the risk?