Thailand is currently experiencing one of the worst cases of flooding on record, caused by almost-three months of heavy rainfall that occurred during the monsoon season. While the rain has stopped, the volume of water remaining is so great, that it has filled the country’s catchment areas to the point of spilling over, which has been seen throughout many parts of the country, especially around the city of Ayutthaya. The country’s primary drainage for the excessive amount of runoff is the Chao Phraya River, which runs through the heart ofBangkok.To put it simply, it is like taking the plug out of a bath – if the hole is blocked, the water will not flow. If the plug is remove, a larger volume of water would pass.Geographically, Bangkok is situated at a low height above sea level, with few hills or mountains. In fact, the city is built on a flood plain, which has always been susceptible to flooding during times of unseasonably heavy rainfall.Government efforts are currently in progress to ease the strain off the sheer weight of flood protection barriers set up around the city by siphoning off the flow in a coordinate attempt to evenly distribute the excess water. The government has been attempting to slow down the flow of runoff from the north with so-called “big bag” sandbags. The aim is to slow down the flow and create enough time to pump water out of the city. While this doesn’t stop flooding, it should reduce the severity of the flooding throughout the inner districts of the city.
While the reports of the RID, FROC, BMA and experts may never completely match up, they all to indicate positive signs. Basically, the big bag barrier set up throughout the north of the city has slowed down the pace of runoff to the point
While the reports of the RID, FROC, BMA and experts may never completely match up, they all to indicate positive signs. Basically, the big bag barrier set up throughout the north of the city has slowed down the pace of runoff to the point To put it simply, it is like taking the plug out of a bath – if the hole is blocked, the water will not flow. If the plug is remove, a larger volume of water would pass.Geographically, Bangkok is situated at a low height above sea level, with few hills or mountains. In fact, the city is built on a flood plain, which has always been susceptible to flooding during times of unseasonably heavy rainfall.
Affected Area
- Don Muang
- Lak Si
- Ratchayothin
- Chatuchak
- Bang Kapi
- Saphan Sung
- Saimai
- Dusit
- Bangkok Noi
- Phra Nakhon
- Lat Krabang
- Nong Chok
- Minburi
- Khannayao
- Bang Phlat
- Thawee Wattana
- Chatuchak
- Lad Phrao
Travellers are advised to stay in the dry areas of the city. Hotels can be found in popular tourist areas unaffected by flooding, specifically in districts, such as Sukhumvit, Siam Square, Pratunam, Khao San Road, Silom, Sathorn, Suvarnabhumi, Petchburi, Ploenchit/Chidlom, ChinaTown and Ratchaprasong.Our AdviceIt may be worthwhile to consider deferring any non-essential travel at this point in time if your circumstances allow it, or consider extending your stay at one of the many unaffected tourist centres around the country. Travellers to Bangkok at this point in time may experience inconveniences due to the crisis, but we don’t believe safety is an issue for travellers staying in the centre of the city.Thai Travel News recommends more for the sake of convenience, as we do not, and have not felt that our personal safety has been under any threat.Travellers should avoid flood-affected areas due to the risk of water borne diseases. Hospitals around Bangkok have procedures in place to deal with any patients suffering the symptoms of flood-related diseases, such as dysentery, diarrhea, conjunctivitis and Type A Hepatitis.
Consider alternative destinations that remain unaffected by flood.
Travellers with non-refundable tickets should consider finding alternatives to Bangkok, the most logical being Pattaya, situated 124 km towards the south of Bangkok, costing just 124 baht with the Airport Pattaya Bus Company (http://www.airportpattayabus.com). For travellers who want a private car to pick them up at the airport, we offer private transfers fromm Suvarnabhumi to your hotel in Pattaya for $47.08 one way. Click here for more information or for the return route from Pattaya to Bangkok, click here. Alternatively, you can chat with us through the website.Thai Travel News and Agoda has the complete range of rooms available, from as low as $14 a night, to five-star luxury villas, and everything in between. To see our current promotions in Pattaya, including free nights, upgrades and significant discounts, click here.Other alternative destinations include Koh Samet and Koh Chang along the southeastern coast, or by taking a bus in the other direction in the west, making the three-hour drive toCha-Am and Hua Hin. All these areas are safe and no problems have been reported, except for some heavy traffic due to the exodus of travellers and residents of Bangkok who have taken the opportunity to escape the floods.Thai Travel News and Agoda can assist with finding the most suitable accommodation for you. We are more than happy to chat with you, our Skype ID is – thaitravelnews, and we have just recently added a LiveChat function to our website. This is monitored at most times, but please accept our apologies if we are unable to respond. In that case, send us and email and we will respond within a matter of hours.Other cities in the country are open for business and are situated within an hour’s flight from Bangkok.Try our flight search, which compares all domestic carriers departing from Suvarnabhumi.http://flights.thaitravelnews.net
Transportation
ROAD:
• Highway 32, also known as The Asian Highway (AH-2), in central Thailand is partly affected by the floods. Inter-provincial buses between Bangkok and the north and northeast of Thailand are operating, but subject to detours and extended travel times.In Northern Bangkok, the roads closed are:
1. Viphavadi Rangsit Road – from Anusorn Sathan Intersection to Suthisarn Overpass Intersection
2. Ratchadaphisek Road – from Rachavipha Interchange to Suthisarn Intersection
3. Paholyothin Road – from Anusorn Sathan Intersection to Suthisarn Overpass Intersection
4. Prasertmanukij Road(Kaset Nawamin) – from Kaset Intersection to Ladprakao Intersection
5. Nawamin Road – from Ramindra KM 8 intersection to Nawanmin soi 147
6. Ramindra Road – from Bangkhen Circle to KM.5 (under Ramindra-Ajnarong expressway)
7. Chaengwattana Road – from Phong Phet Intersection to Kaset Intersection
8. Ngamwongwan Road – from Pongpet Intersection to Kaset IntersectionIn Western Bangkok, the roads closed are:
1. Petchakasem Road – from Buddhamondhol Sai 4 to Petchakasem 48 Road
2. Kanchanaphisek Road – from Mahasawad Bridge to Klong Bang Pai
3. Charansanitwong – from Charansanitwong 77 to 89 and Charansanitwong 43 to Bangkok Noi Canal
4. Ratchaphruek Road – from Mahasawad Bridge Interchange to Petchakasem Road
5. Sirindhorn Road – from Bang Phlat to Sirindhorn Interchange
6. Arun Amarin Road – from Arun Amarin Intersection to Siriraj Hospital
7. Borom Raja Chonnanee Rd – from Pinklao Bridge to Buddhamondhol 4In Eastern Bangkok, the roads closed are:
1. Suwinthawong Road – from Panitchayakan Minburi Intersection to RatchaUthit IntersectionAIR/AIRPORT: Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok has not been affected by the floods and is operating as per usual. The airport has considerable flood protection measures in place and officials are monitoring the situation closely.
• Don Mueang Airport, which is located in a northern suburb of Bangkok and handles domestic airlines serving a small number of provinces, has been closed until November 1st due to flooding.• All other airports in Thailand are open and operating normally.RAIL:• Train services to the North from Bangkok resumed 29 October 2011.
• The State Railway of Thailand cancelled all south-bound train services from Bangkok Friday 28th Oct 2011. SRT has arranged the bus from Hua Lamphong Station to Nakhon Pathom station and passenger can continue the train from there to Southern part.• Train services to other parts of Thailand are operating as per normal.• Please call 1690 for more information.BTS operates normally.MRT operates normally.Bus :• Inter-provincial buses to eastern, western, and southern Thailand are operating as per normal.• Southern bus terminal on Boromratchachonnani road relocate to the Holland beer hall on Rama 2 RoadPiers / Ports :• Boats in Chao Phraya River have been suspendedList of Affected Hotels
We are still trying to track down a list of flood-affected hotels in Bangkok and/or Thailand. The Thai Hotels Association (THA) said there was a list in Thai language on their website, however we failed to locate it. If anyone has a copy of this list or a similar list, please email editor@thaitravelnews.net. We would very much appreciate it. Tourist Attractions
Attractions temporary closed- Safari World
- Dream World
- Future Park Rangsit
- Central Pinklao
- Central Ramindra
- Central Ladprao
- Fashion Island
- The Mall Bang Kae
All other tourist attractions are open for business as usual.Contact Numbers
Visa Inquiry contact
(+66) 2134 0222 24 hrsTAT call center
1672Flood information line
1111 # 5Highway Hotline
1586Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department Hotline
1784Highway Police
1193Department of Rural Road
1146Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand
1669Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA)
1129Royal Irrigation Department
1460Transportation Department
1490State Railway of Thailand
1690Click here for a list of embassies and consulates in Thailand
If you have any specific questions relating to the flooding situation, please feel free to chat with us on our LiveChat feature, which is situated at the bottom of the page, add a comment, or email editor@thaitravelnews.net
35 Comments
- [...] updates on the flooding, please check out Thai Travel News, a website which is very useful for real time updates as well as the specific details for areas [...]
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Thailand is currently experiencing one of the worst cases of flooding on record, caused by almost-three months of heavy rainfall that occurred during the monsoon season. While the rain has stopped, the volume of water remaining is so great, that it has filled the country’s catchment areas to the point of spilling over, which has been seen throughout many parts of the country, especially around the city of Ayutthaya. The country’s primary drainage for the excessive amount of runoff is the Chao Phraya River, which runs through the heart ofBangkok.
To put it simply, it is like taking the plug out of a bath – if the hole is blocked, the water will not flow. If the plug is remove, a larger volume of water would pass.
Geographically, Bangkok is situated at a low height above sea level, with few hills or mountains. In fact, the city is built on a flood plain, which has always been susceptible to flooding during times of unseasonably heavy rainfall.
Government efforts are currently in progress to ease the strain off the sheer weight of flood protection barriers set up around the city by siphoning off the flow in a coordinate attempt to evenly distribute the excess water. The government has been attempting to slow down the flow of runoff from the north with so-called “big bag” sandbags. The aim is to slow down the flow and create enough time to pump water out of the city. While this doesn’t stop flooding, it should reduce the severity of the flooding throughout the inner districts of the city.
While the reports of the RID, FROC, BMA and experts may never completely match up, they all to indicate positive signs. Basically, the big bag barrier set up throughout the north of the city has slowed down the pace of runoff to the point
Affected Area
- Don Muang
- Lak Si
- Ratchayothin
- Chatuchak
- Bang Kapi
- Saphan Sung
- Saimai
- Dusit
- Bangkok Noi
- Phra Nakhon
- Lat Krabang
- Nong Chok
- Minburi
- Khannayao
- Bang Phlat
- Thawee Wattana
- Chatuchak
- Lad Phrao
Travellers are advised to stay in the dry areas of the city. Hotels can be found in popular tourist areas unaffected by flooding, specifically in districts, such as Sukhumvit, Siam Square, Pratunam, Khao San Road, Silom, Sathorn, Suvarnabhumi, Petchburi, Ploenchit/Chidlom, ChinaTown and Ratchaprasong.
Our Advice
It may be worthwhile to consider deferring any non-essential travel at this point in time if your circumstances allow it, or consider extending your stay at one of the many unaffected tourist centres around the country. Travellers to Bangkok at this point in time may experience inconveniences due to the crisis, but we don’t believe safety is an issue for travellers staying in the centre of the city.
Thai Travel News recommends more for the sake of convenience, as we do not, and have not felt that our personal safety has been under any threat.
Travellers should avoid flood-affected areas due to the risk of water borne diseases. Hospitals around Bangkok have procedures in place to deal with any patients suffering the symptoms of flood-related diseases, such as dysentery, diarrhea, conjunctivitis and Type A Hepatitis.
Consider alternative destinations that remain unaffected by flood.
Travellers with non-refundable tickets should consider finding alternatives to Bangkok, the most logical being Pattaya, situated 124 km towards the south of Bangkok, costing just 124 baht with the Airport Pattaya Bus Company (http://www.airportpattayabus.com). For travellers who want a private car to pick them up at the airport, we offer private transfers fromm Suvarnabhumi to your hotel in Pattaya for $47.08 one way. Click here for more information or for the return route from Pattaya to Bangkok, click here. Alternatively, you can chat with us through the website.
Thai Travel News and Agoda has the complete range of rooms available, from as low as $14 a night, to five-star luxury villas, and everything in between. To see our current promotions in Pattaya, including free nights, upgrades and significant discounts, click here.
Other alternative destinations include Koh Samet and Koh Chang along the southeastern coast, or by taking a bus in the other direction in the west, making the three-hour drive toCha-Am and Hua Hin. All these areas are safe and no problems have been reported, except for some heavy traffic due to the exodus of travellers and residents of Bangkok who have taken the opportunity to escape the floods.
Thai Travel News and Agoda can assist with finding the most suitable accommodation for you. We are more than happy to chat with you, our Skype ID is – thaitravelnews, and we have just recently added a LiveChat function to our website. This is monitored at most times, but please accept our apologies if we are unable to respond. In that case, send us and email and we will respond within a matter of hours.
Other cities in the country are open for business and are situated within an hour’s flight from Bangkok.
Try our flight search, which compares all domestic carriers departing from Suvarnabhumi.
http://flights.thaitravelnews.net
Transportation
ROAD:
• Highway 32, also known as The Asian Highway (AH-2), in central Thailand is partly affected by the floods. Inter-provincial buses between Bangkok and the north and northeast of Thailand are operating, but subject to detours and extended travel times.
• Highway 32, also known as The Asian Highway (AH-2), in central Thailand is partly affected by the floods. Inter-provincial buses between Bangkok and the north and northeast of Thailand are operating, but subject to detours and extended travel times.
In Northern Bangkok, the roads closed are:
1. Viphavadi Rangsit Road – from Anusorn Sathan Intersection to Suthisarn Overpass Intersection
2. Ratchadaphisek Road – from Rachavipha Interchange to Suthisarn Intersection
3. Paholyothin Road – from Anusorn Sathan Intersection to Suthisarn Overpass Intersection
4. Prasertmanukij Road(Kaset Nawamin) – from Kaset Intersection to Ladprakao Intersection
5. Nawamin Road – from Ramindra KM 8 intersection to Nawanmin soi 147
6. Ramindra Road – from Bangkhen Circle to KM.5 (under Ramindra-Ajnarong expressway)
7. Chaengwattana Road – from Phong Phet Intersection to Kaset Intersection
8. Ngamwongwan Road – from Pongpet Intersection to Kaset Intersection
1. Viphavadi Rangsit Road – from Anusorn Sathan Intersection to Suthisarn Overpass Intersection
2. Ratchadaphisek Road – from Rachavipha Interchange to Suthisarn Intersection
3. Paholyothin Road – from Anusorn Sathan Intersection to Suthisarn Overpass Intersection
4. Prasertmanukij Road(Kaset Nawamin) – from Kaset Intersection to Ladprakao Intersection
5. Nawamin Road – from Ramindra KM 8 intersection to Nawanmin soi 147
6. Ramindra Road – from Bangkhen Circle to KM.5 (under Ramindra-Ajnarong expressway)
7. Chaengwattana Road – from Phong Phet Intersection to Kaset Intersection
8. Ngamwongwan Road – from Pongpet Intersection to Kaset Intersection
In Western Bangkok, the roads closed are:
1. Petchakasem Road – from Buddhamondhol Sai 4 to Petchakasem 48 Road
2. Kanchanaphisek Road – from Mahasawad Bridge to Klong Bang Pai
3. Charansanitwong – from Charansanitwong 77 to 89 and Charansanitwong 43 to Bangkok Noi Canal
4. Ratchaphruek Road – from Mahasawad Bridge Interchange to Petchakasem Road
5. Sirindhorn Road – from Bang Phlat to Sirindhorn Interchange
6. Arun Amarin Road – from Arun Amarin Intersection to Siriraj Hospital
7. Borom Raja Chonnanee Rd – from Pinklao Bridge to Buddhamondhol 4
1. Petchakasem Road – from Buddhamondhol Sai 4 to Petchakasem 48 Road
2. Kanchanaphisek Road – from Mahasawad Bridge to Klong Bang Pai
3. Charansanitwong – from Charansanitwong 77 to 89 and Charansanitwong 43 to Bangkok Noi Canal
4. Ratchaphruek Road – from Mahasawad Bridge Interchange to Petchakasem Road
5. Sirindhorn Road – from Bang Phlat to Sirindhorn Interchange
6. Arun Amarin Road – from Arun Amarin Intersection to Siriraj Hospital
7. Borom Raja Chonnanee Rd – from Pinklao Bridge to Buddhamondhol 4
In Eastern Bangkok, the roads closed are:
1. Suwinthawong Road – from Panitchayakan Minburi Intersection to RatchaUthit Intersection
1. Suwinthawong Road – from Panitchayakan Minburi Intersection to RatchaUthit Intersection
AIR/AIRPORT: Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok has not been affected by the floods and is operating as per usual. The airport has considerable flood protection measures in place and officials are monitoring the situation closely.
• Don Mueang Airport, which is located in a northern suburb of Bangkok and handles domestic airlines serving a small number of provinces, has been closed until November 1st due to flooding.
• Don Mueang Airport, which is located in a northern suburb of Bangkok and handles domestic airlines serving a small number of provinces, has been closed until November 1st due to flooding.
• All other airports in Thailand are open and operating normally.
RAIL:
• Train services to the North from Bangkok resumed 29 October 2011.
• The State Railway of Thailand cancelled all south-bound train services from Bangkok Friday 28th Oct 2011. SRT has arranged the bus from Hua Lamphong Station to Nakhon Pathom station and passenger can continue the train from there to Southern part.
• Train services to other parts of Thailand are operating as per normal.
• Please call 1690 for more information.
BTS operates normally.
MRT operates normally.
Bus :
• Inter-provincial buses to eastern, western, and southern Thailand are operating as per normal.
• Southern bus terminal on Boromratchachonnani road relocate to the Holland beer hall on Rama 2 Road
Piers / Ports :
• Boats in Chao Phraya River have been suspended
List of Affected Hotels
We are still trying to track down a list of flood-affected hotels in Bangkok and/or Thailand. The Thai Hotels Association (THA) said there was a list in Thai language on their website, however we failed to locate it. If anyone has a copy of this list or a similar list, please email editor@thaitravelnews.net. We would very much appreciate it.
Tourist Attractions
Attractions temporary closed
- Safari World
- Dream World
- Future Park Rangsit
- Central Pinklao
- Central Ramindra
- Central Ladprao
- Fashion Island
- The Mall Bang Kae
All other tourist attractions are open for business as usual.
Contact Numbers
Visa Inquiry contact
(+66) 2134 0222 24 hrs
(+66) 2134 0222 24 hrs
TAT call center
1672
1672
Flood information line
1111 # 5
1111 # 5
Highway Hotline
1586
1586
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department Hotline
1784
1784
Highway Police
1193
1193
Department of Rural Road
1146
1146
Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand
1669
1669
Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA)
1129
1129
Royal Irrigation Department
1460
1460
Transportation Department
1490
1490
State Railway of Thailand
1690
1690
Click here for a list of embassies and consulates in Thailand
If you have any specific questions relating to the flooding situation, please feel free to chat with us on our LiveChat feature, which is situated at the bottom of the page, add a comment, or email editor@thaitravelnews.net
35 Comments
- [...] updates on the flooding, please check out Thai Travel News, a website which is very useful for real time updates as well as the specific details for areas [...]
Diur
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(I am a multi-talented man!)
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My plan are:
- From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pratunam market
- Visit some places in BangKok and shopping around Pratunam and Platimun mall
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Could You please advise what exactly South Bus Terminal do I need, the Old (Pinklao- Nakomchaisri Rd.) or the New one (Borom Ratchani, which is now at Holland beer hall on Rama 2 Road)? We will use the municipal bus strts at 20:30.
Thanks in advance.
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Thank you.
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My friends and I already have arranged to travel to Bangkok from 22 November up to 24 Nov. 2011 and after this period we will go to phuket for 5 days
We have reserved hotel via our tour for the mentioned dates. But now it seems the weather conditions is not good and stabile.
Could you please tell me some about the city condition (flood affected areas / recreation centers condition / availability of food and water / security and safety of city area & etc.)
You response will be helpful in our decision to travel.
I really appreciated for you quick response.
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thank you for your response.
As I told, we will stay in Bangkok for 3 days and after that we will going to Phuket.
All of this trip arranged via our tour.
We are worried about our flight from Bangkok to Phuket.
Is the inner airport open yet?
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My daughter is a student in Bangkok and residing in Bang Phlad area.
We are from India and very worried about her. Is there any particular direction you could point out for her safety?
She is residing in a building, on 15th floor ,with her friend.
The street is flooded since days and the food supply is getting less and less.
Please guide us to be able to guide her.
Thanking you
Sushil Mehta
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Yeo
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Best,
Elissa
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We are worried about our flight from Bangkok to Phuket.
Is the inner airport open yet?
regards
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Thanks in advance.
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