I was reading on the BBC today of massive flooding in and around Thaialnd from the recent monsoon season. Apparently it was one of the worst in decades. I was wondering how travelers have been experiencing this?
Reply to this Note that since my last post, all river boat services have been suspended. Canal boats are still operating, and taxi services are operating as normal. It now looks like the big threat to Bangkok will be later this week as rising flood levels meet high tides.
Reply to this New update: Khao San Road is flooded and hotel accommodation is at a premium. That's second floor and above. You can now get great rates on ground floor hotel rooms though. Bring an air bed.
Reply to this In response to: Msg #145745
Thanks for these updates, the floods are certainly inundating the central Bangkok area if Khao San Road is under water.
In response to: Msg #145717
The river transport won't resume for quite a while - plenty of debris both on and under the river mean it isn't safe to use until about a week after the flood waters recede.
Reply to this Latest update, 26 Oct 2011:
Water is getting very scarce. Managed to forage 40 litres today. Enough for around 5 days as have taken on 4 refugees. Local supermarket is out of spaghetti, but have other pasta and sauce. Will run out today for sure. Bathtup full of water. Still confident that central Bangkok will remain dry. If not, then we're screwed. And not in the good way.
Reply to this Stay safe out there - thanks for keeping us updated!
I'm heading out there January and just trying to think of how this is going to effect my trip.
Reply to this In response to: Msg #145786
Nate, I'm heading to Bangkok and Kanchanaburi towards the end of November. So far, Kanchanaburi is not effected (and is not likely to be), but the major concern re my travelling is if the rail and/or road lines between the two are damaged.
I'm sure Peter will keep us updated with his informative reports - they are greatly appreciated! If the situation is still uncertain when I arrive, I'll post again on this thread to udpate you and other readers on any further information.
Reply to this Just landed in Bangkok two hours ago. International airport look very dry and surrounding too...but Don Muang is under water. Five minutes before landing, it's water everywhere.
No more local bottle water at the airport. But you can find all other sorts of soft drinks. Going for a shopping hunt in a few minutes.
The staff at Cathay was seriously nice...we walk out of the plane with three bottles of 1.5 liters of French water...thanks Cathay!
Reply to this PA, everything sounds fine in your part of Bangkok, which is good to hear.
Reply to this Just gone for a little shopping tour. Ok, the only water that seems to be available is Evian, Volvic and Perrier....yeap, all french brands...No local thai water available.
But I could easily find juices, soft drinks, milk...and obviously some wine....
Interestingly, toilet paper seems to be disappearing fast too.
The main trouble is not the goods, but seems to be the supply route of all these goods.
We also have enough BBQ coal to cook for nearly a week.
Schools are closed till the 7th of november. We are just back from a 10 days trip. And I should be back on the road in a week time, but nothing is really sure on that side.
Oh yes, we have a beautiful sunny day today.
Let see and wait. I have to admit, it's easier to be in the lucky few who have the chance to be high above ground and have the means to get ready for whatever.
I would just like to point something pretty interesting. It doesn't seem that any government has given the order of evacuation to their foreign citizens yet...so info or intox for center Bangkok?
I'm still really impressed by the kindness of the Thai people in such a situation. I know why I love Thailand so much when I walk the street around our area!
Reply to this Peter, the other one leaving in Bangkok put another very nice blog online.
Ekamai area is completely dry. Went for more liquid, could find few litters of local water. But could also find lots of soda water, juices and other soft drinks. We are safe now for weeks. It may not be water...and it may not be wonderful for the teeth due to carbonated drinks, but it still drinkable.
Important info, no embassy have put any evacuation order. It is actually pretty easy to do flooding models with satelites...so I do believe most of central Bangkok will be spared...but better be ready.
The way it looks like...we are more heading for a nice new political crisis in the country. Not however going to elaborate online...
One more interesting point....goods in supermarkets haven't seen any increase in price. This may looks normal if you are coming from developed country...but here, I must admit it's a huge bonus for the country and his people. I can tell you in some neighbour country, it would not look the same if they were in the same situation...
Thai people, you impress me in great ways...
Reply to this Chakutchak market is still 100% dry. Even if Don Muang, just few hundred meters is under water.
Took also the BTS above the Chao Praya...both sides still fully dry, but the river is really high...and really close to be over the ridges soon...
Seems we will know what's going one by Saturday...
Reply to this Chakutchak market is still 100%!d(MISSING)ry.
Well, at least my favourite market in Bangkok is still dry - please keep these reports coming! It is great to receive information from people within the city rather than relying solely on news reports.
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