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Bangkok residents sit on a large piece of polystyrene foam as they travel along a flooded street.
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THAILAND FLOODS: Government dismisses risk of post-flood health concerns
3/11/2011 – Thai Travel News recommends deferring non-essential travel to Bangkok and flood-effected areas at the present time.
The Thai government has downplayed the threat of a looming health crisis, which could emerge due to water borne diseases that could spread as a result to the floods.
Despite the presence of litter-filled and stagnant water throughout many provinces, the government tried to assure the public that fatal diseases, such as leptospirosis and Cholera were not a threat.
- A raft in a flooded street, filled with garbage.
Director General of the Disease Control Department (DCD), Porntep Siriwanarangsun, said that while a number of incidences of communicable diseases were detected during the flood relief efforts, they did not pose a serious threat to the wider community.
With more than 2.1 million Thais seriously affected by the floods, less than 100,000 opting to stay at government pro
vided shelters. Simple maths alone can tell you that 2 million Thais were choosing to stay at their properties with no electricity, clean water and contributing to accumulating garbage.
Concerns have been raised to both the editorial team at Thai Travel News and numerous other media outlets about an impending health emergency following the crisis.
However, the government’s line on all matters related to the flood is “it’s under control” – And once again, in regards to any possible looming public health threat, we heard the government’s line on the matter: “We’re monitoring the situation, and it’s under control.”
Porntep said that some disease had been detected in the community, but it was not spreading amongst the wider community.
International experts do not share the same optimistic approach of Porntep, with the health risk from the ongoing floods raising the eyebrows of a few international organizations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Federation of Red Cross and Red CrescentSocieties (IFRC) .
- Matthew Cochranes, from IFRC.
Manager of communications and advocacy of the IFRC in Southeast Asia, Matthew Cochrane said on CNN just a few days ago that diseases, such as dengue fever, diarrhea and malaria would most likely be experienced within the coming weeks throughout the country’s flood-affected areas.
“There are places on the outskirts of Bangkok and in other parts of the country which have been flooded for nearly two weeks,” he was quoted as speaking.
Porntep’s evaluation of the situation to date has recorded only cases of the common cold, diarrhea and conjunctivitis.
“No dysentery. No typhoid,” he said.
- A woman in the north of Bangkok is forced to walk through stagnant water outside of her home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd5aw23O06I
He did, however, disclose one case of cholera, which was detected in the Prawet district of Bangkok. However, he said that measures were in place to prevent the spread of the disease.
“We are confident that there will be no outbreak of cholera in Bangkok,” he said.
Bangkok residents sit on a large piece of polystyrene foam as they travel along a flooded street.All of Bangkok is on alert as runoff from the outskirts continues to advance into the city, with streets in Bangkok's Lat Phrao district now dealing with floods.
According to a report in Friday's "Bangkok Post," 20 percent of the city is now flooded. Affected areas include north and western Bangkok and several riverside communities, some close to popular tourist attractions like Khao San Road, the Grand Palace and Chinatown.
As of Friday, major tourist areas in central Bangkok, such as Sukhumvit Road, Siam and Silom, remain unaffected by floods. Shopping malls, bars and restaurants in those areas are open, while most major hotels are operating as usual, including those on the Chao Phraya River.
In a statement released to its guests, the riverside Mandarin Oriental Bangkok said: "The hotel's management team is monitoring the situation very closely and working around the clock to ensure the hotel stays unaffected. Effective flood management measures continue to be implemented."
The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are running on their usual schedules, though the Chao Phraya River Boat has stopped service until November 7. Certain MRT exits are closed due to floods, but all stations are open as of Friday morning.
Read on CNN Money: Thailand floods could create laptop shortage
The floods have also disrupted Bangkok’s food- and water-supply chains. Many convenience stores and supermarket shelves are regularly short of items like bottled water and non-perishable food, though the city's small, family-owned shops don't seem to be affected.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced that it has canceled the city's upcoming Loy Kratong Festival, including all dinner cruises and festivities along the Chao Phraya River. Celebrations are still planned for other Thai cities, including Chiang Mai and Sukhothai.
According to Thailandtourismupdate.com, the following attractions and shopping malls are temporarily closed due to flooding: Future Park Rangsit, Dream World, Central Pinklao, Central Ramindra, Chatuchak weekend market, Fashion Island and The Mall Bang Kae.
Elsewhere in Thailand
As of Friday, all airports in Thailand with the exception of Don Muang are operating as usual.
Don Muang is Bangkok's secondary domestic airport and is now flooded. Flights have since been moved to Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok's main international airport, which is unaffected by the floods.
More on CNNGo: Flights diverted as floods swamp Don Muang Airport
Many airlines are waiving administrative fees for passengers who have booked flights to Bangkok and wish to reschedule or cancel their journeys.
The TAT says that major tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi, Ratchburi, Pattaya, Ko Chang, Rayong, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Ko Samui are all experiencing normal weather conditions.
In its latest update, released Wednesday, the TAT says flood waters in Ayutthaya and some other central provinces have begun to subside, although many areas are not yet fully accessible. Tourist attractions in Ayutthaya will reopen once they have been restored.
Train services from Bangkok to Chiang Mai have just resumed from Bangkok's Hualamphong train station as of Monday morning, though trains will re-route via the east to avoid flooded areas.
Contact the SRT Call Center at 1690 for the latest updates and information.
Long-distance inter-provincial bus services from Bangkok are still operating, though some are taking alternative routes to avoid flooded areas of Thailand, resulting in increased travel times.
Inter-provincial buses from Bangkok to southern provinces are leaving from a temporary station with shuttle services to and from the Southern Bus Terminal, also known as Sai Tai Mai. Call 1490 for the latest bus schedule and route information.
CNNGo iReport assignment: Share your Thailand flood stories
Thai flood resources
- Thailand blogger Richard Barrow's Thaitravelblogs.com offers continuous updates on the flood situation. Click here to follow him on Twitter. Barrow also offers some advice to tourists wondering whether they should cancel their plans in this CNNGo article.
- Bangkok blogger and writer Newley Purnell posts a daily roundup of flood-related news, maps and information on his blog, Newley.com.
- English-language news websites the "Bangkok Post," "The Nation" and state-run "MCOT" all have in-depth coverage of the Thailand floods.
- The TAT's news site offers semi-regular updates on the floods. Tourists can also call the TAT Information Line at 1672 to check local conditions, or visit the Thailand Meteorological Department website for updated weather forecasts.
- For visitors in Thailand looking to assist with the country's flood relief efforts, the "Bangkok Post" has compiled a list of organizations accepting money and/or supplies.
- Child-rights organization Plan has been assisting with the crisis by delivering supplies to flood-hit communities. For more on their work and other flood-related news, follow them on Twitter.
- CNN's Impact Your World page has links to international organizations assisting with Thailand's flood relief efforts.
- A Facebook page and Twitter account called "Thai Flood" has been set up to offer English updates on how volunteers can help and what supplies are needed.Thailandtourismupdate.com provides regular flood-related updates for tourists, including a list of hotels offering discounts to those affected by the crisis.
Read more: Thai flood crisis: Updated info for tourists | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/life/thailand-floods-updated-info-tourists-883113#ixzz1ckDiniBg
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