Kepler habitable

Friday, November 11, 2011

Bangkok Floods some good news11/11/11


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.

Flood affected areas of Bangkok. SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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.

Traffic is forced to do a U-turn due to flooding at Chatuchak. One of the many reasons we advise against tourism to Bangkok at the present time. PHOTO: Jared Sheldon

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 


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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 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
In Eastern Bangkok, the roads closed are:
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.
•    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
TAT call center
1672
Flood information line
1111 # 5
Highway Hotline
1586
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department Hotline
1784
Highway Police
1193
Department of Rural Road
1146
Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand
1669
Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA)
1129
Royal Irrigation Department
1460
Transportation Department
1490
State Railway of Thailand
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

  1. diur
    Dear Sir, I`m Diur from Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Please advise you, whether the situation in the downtown (Siam, Pratunam, MBK) is quite safe to visit? I intend to Bangkok tomorrow (3 / 11) for four days and settled in a hotel in Pratunam or Siam area . Thank you ..
    regards,
    Diur
  2. Anup Kabra
    Is Dream World open ? If not, when is it likely to open?
  3. kwolf
    Dear Sir/Madam,
    I’m a tourist, i will visit Bangkok tomorrow (Nov 03) but the flood situation is terrible in Bangkok. I need your advises i should go there or not.
    My plan are:
    - From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pratunam market
    - Visit some places in BangKok and shopping around Pratunam and Platimun mall
    So, I do not know the transport from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pratunam market is ok or can not go by taxi.
    Thank very much,
  4. Eugene
    Good day,
    We will travel to Thailand on 21 of Nov to Bangkok and go to Samui by bus at once.
    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.
  5. MILLI
    Hello,
    I am travelling to central of Bangkok on 8th Nov staying in Ratchatewi area planning to do shopping in Platinum mall.
    Is the area affected? Or any of the shops are opened in Platinum mall?
    How about the transportation from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Ratchatewi area?
    Thank you.
    • You know what they say, no news is good news. And that is certainly the case with transport between the airport and Ratchatewi. Shops are still open at this stage. We are just hoping that the floodwaters are contained.
      Thanks,
      Jared
  6. dianne
    Hi. I am planning to travel to bangkok on december 8. I want to ask if the flood situation is still existing by then. Should I cancel my trip or pursue with it?
    Thank you.
  7. J
    I am due to travel today and arrive in Bangkok on the 6th Nov in the evening. I am booked in at the Sofitel Hotel in Chatuchak so that I can catch the bus from Mo Chit on the 7th to Buriram. Pleas advise if I can still do this. Thank you.
  8. Hadi
    Dear Sir/Lady
    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.
    • Hi there,
      Well the situation is rather unpredictable at this stage. Phuket will be fine, there are no problems there. Seeing that you are only staying for two day sin Bangkok, I wouldn’t worry too much. Are you going with a tour group?
      At present, flood affected areas are outside of the main tourist areas, but spreading slowly. It could stop, it could continue. We don’t know. Best thing to do is monitor the situation and evaluate the situation as it goes on.
      On a personal note, I live here, and I don’t feel that my safety is under any threat.
      Thanks,
      Jared
      • Hadi
        Hi Mr. Jared
        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?
  9. Nei
    Hi Jared,
    With the current situation in Bangkok, is the overland travel from Sukhumvit to Aranyaphratet still possible via road without additional travel time due to detours? We’re planning to take a bus from Ekkamai Station. Do you know what time buses depart for Aranyaphratet?
  10. zhymhiie
    to whom it may concern,
    i would like to know if there is any news or updates about the drainage plan from the administrative? if ever, where and when will it take place ? And will it damage other towns, villages or cities other than those areas already affected if the drainage plan occurs? i just wanted to know if our campus (ABAC- Suvarnabhumi campus) will get affected soon enough they planned it to drain around eastern bangkok? im a student from there who is also concern about the conveniency of other students, teachers and households around there.
    Thank you so much in advance.
    • The government nor the BMA have published any detailed plans (in English for my sake, maybe there is in Thai) as to the specific measures in place.
      I can only speak as to what I know, which is quite general.
      As far as I know, the plan is to drain the city in a coordinated manner. That means opening some flood gates, while closing others in a methodical manner. As to when and when the gates are opened and closed, I don’t have that information. I would certainly like it though!
      If you came across that (whether it is in Thai or English), let me know.
      Thanks,
      Jared
  11. Mr. Sushil Mehta
    Hello,
    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
    • Hi Sushil,
      Thank you for your email.
      The situation isn’t too unsafe. As a resident of Bangkok I do not at all feel that I am in any threat. I went to the front line of the flooding today and the deepest it was up to my ankles. Power is still running, and tapwater is clean. Many apartments have special UV filter machines that provide drinking water for 1 baht per litre, and I’m sure hers does.
      Food supply is declining and some items have been difficult to buy, but believe me, Bangkok is nowhere near a famine.
      I would say that she is fine, but if she feels that her safety is under any threat, speak to the Indian embassy. There is a link to embassy phone numbers from the main page of Thai Travel News.
      I hope I that alleviates some of your concerns. My mother feels the same way!
      Jared
  12. Anthony Carbone
    Hello
    We are landing in Bangkok on Nov. 20th, staying at the Hansar for two nights, then heading to Chiang Mai (and Phuket and Krabi) on the 22nd. Do you recommend that we just skip Bangkok and fly to Chiang Mai the 20th? We look forward to our two week vacation in Thailand and hope our flight can land in Bangkok. Any advice would be much appreciated.
    Anthony
  13. I was in BKK last week and right now in Udon. You folks are 100% CRAZY to even think of coming to Bangkok now-absolutely CRAZY as a tourist. Now is not the time-period and I am an American and saw this first hand.
    • Hey Gary,
      Thanks for the comments. I am absolutely flabbergasted when I read reports of executives for hotel chains who blame websites like TTN for portraying BKK in a negative image. Do they really want people to see Bangkok like this?
      Jared
  14. Arijit
    I will be travelling bangkok in 2nd Week Dec, Will condition will be worse or improve by then ? reading lots of news regarding shortage of food supply.
  15. Max
    I have bought air tickets for a family (6 people) holidays in Bangkok between 24/11 to 30/11. It will be mainly for shopping and if possible visiting the tourist attractions. As long as the International Airport is running, I can’t refund my tickets. What is your advice for the trip?
    I am planning to stay in hotel at Sathorn or Chidlom – Ploenchit or Sukhumvit? Are they all in unaffected areas (currently)? Any ranking of flodding risk between the three areas?
    max
  16. Yeo
    Hi Jared,
    I will be traveling to BKK on 17-21 Nov.Should I postpone my trip as I would like to visit chatuchak and erawan shrine.Will chatuchak resume business by 18 Nov.hope to hear from you soon.
    Regards,
    Yeo
  17. Conor Cu;kin
    Hi Jared , I am supposed to be flying into Bankok on November 23th .I was going to venture around Thailand for a month. Should I reschedule now cause of the floods ?
    I could possibly defer my trip for a month . Would that be best option?
    Cheers
    Conor
  18. saadsatar
    hello\can i travel to pattaya from bangkok by bus \thankyou
  19. Elissa
    I saw that, a few days, you told a commenter that if he or she was only going to be in Bangkok for 2 days, it might be okay. Do you still think that’s the case? (It was 3 or 4 days ago when you wrote that, so an eternity with the fast-changing situation!) Our current tickets have us in Bangkok for two nights en route to Chiang Mai, and another single night on our way back from Krabi. Should we forgo these nights? I know the latter would be difficult, as we have an early flight back to the states. Should we try to stay at the actual airport? (Our hotel right now is the Hansar)… Thanks for any advice! Your site has been so helpful through all of this.
    Best,
    Elissa
  20. Hadi
    Dear Jared
    we will stay in Bangkok for 3 days from 22-25 Nov. 2011 and after that we will going to Phuket.
    We are worried about our flight from Bangkok to Phuket.
    Is the inner airport open yet?
    regards
  21. Hannah
    Hello,
    I will be travelling to bangkok roughly on november 27 and staying there for a week, will be travelling from central bangkok (MBK platinum mall that area) to Nothanburi, pak kret. will it be safe around that time? :/
    Thanks so much!
  22. MAC
    Hi Jared
    I’ve been closely monitoring your website for information and I want to say thanks for providing such a great service.
    I am bringing my family to Thailand on 14th December , stopping in Bangkok for one night and then (hopefully) taking the train down to Ko Lanta. Do you have any information on how the southern trains are running at the moment?
    Obviously it is difficult to predict how the situation will be a month from now , but I would appreciate any advice you can give me on this. Thanks very much. We are thinking of the people in BK at this difficult time.
    Best regards and hope things improve for you all soon.
  23. Eugene
    Good day,
    Could You please tell me if the Southern Bus terminal at the Rama 2 (Holland Beer Hall) still operates? I need to get to Samui from there.
    Looking forward for Your reply.
    Thanks in advance.
  24. PW
    Am arriving in Bangkok next Thursday, 18/11/2011 staying at the Courtyard Marriott. Would like to see Bangkok but if food, water, health, transportation is an issue, could certainly reschedule for another time. Recommendation?

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