Flood Update for Bangkok and Central Thailand.
Nov 13th, 2011, 12:52 PM
#21
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So grateful for your reliable updates. I so missed reading your reports when you stopped posting.
Are you able to get back to the area where you home is yet? Has the water receded there at all? Do you think that you will be able to salvage your home or is it too soon to tell?
Your family and all my Thai friends remain in my prayers as you all try to deal with this difficult and unpredictable tragedy that has befallen you.
Stay strong.
Sue
Are you able to get back to the area where you home is yet? Has the water receded there at all? Do you think that you will be able to salvage your home or is it too soon to tell?
Your family and all my Thai friends remain in my prayers as you all try to deal with this difficult and unpredictable tragedy that has befallen you.
Stay strong.
Sue
Nov 13th, 2011, 02:58 PM
#22
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Hi Sue,
We are still flooded but the water have receded by about 30%. As per the damages from the flood we will have to wait until the water is down enough to send in engineers to evaluate the repairs. I say around 2 to 4 weeks for the water to go down enough to enter our affected property by car or foot, right now only by boat!
We are still flooded but the water have receded by about 30%. As per the damages from the flood we will have to wait until the water is down enough to send in engineers to evaluate the repairs. I say around 2 to 4 weeks for the water to go down enough to enter our affected property by car or foot, right now only by boat!
Nov 13th, 2011, 03:25 PM
#23
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Flood update:
North Bangkok.
The northern floodwater line remains the same with floodwater being successfully drained into the river through Klong Bang Sue and the giant tunnels.
Lots of unrest around Don Mueang airport which could escalate further with citizens blocking the tollway and removing more water barriers. In fighting between the government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, each elected from opposing political parties, is not helping the situation. By 5PM, local time, today if the citizens around there are not satisfy they will block the tollway and remove more barriers.
If more barriers are removed then the floodwater might increase in the flooded areas in north Bangkok but the water should not be able to advance much more towards central or inner Bangkok. A lot of water pumps have been installed in Klong Ban Sue and along with the giant tunnels by Din Dang should be able to handle any excess water.
Eastern Bangkok.
The floodwater is still increasing along the Klongs(canals) there causing more flooding in Eastern Bangkok. The water is coming Westward and Southward from the flooded plains and could see some areas of inner Bangkok flooded from this. Not significant for tourists as these inner areas are not really on the tourist map.
Western Bangkok.
Another area that is seeing a lot of unrest by affected citizens. The remaining southern highway is still not flooded but everyone is predicting that it will. The government vain promise of creating an alternative route, which if works would add several kilometers or several hours of driving time. TV news stations are showing aerial report of the alternative highway going south and it looks like it will take several more days for this route to be ready – the government have promised that this route will be open by today. Promises like this are causing a lot of resentment towards the government and local administration.
Summary.
Civil unrest is the main concern IMO at the moment. This could result in the destruction of flood barriers or bigger protest. Areas that are flooded, with water over 2 meters in some place, are largely ignored by the relief workers or agencies. People there are extremely agitated. There are still over 500 people abandoned inside Don Mueang airport with no electricity, tap water and toilets. They have been there for 3 weeks now and are fed daily by boats from both the government and private citizens.
Central or inner Bangkok remains the same, dry and will not see total flooding IMO. People are generally somber in the dry area.
North Bangkok.
The northern floodwater line remains the same with floodwater being successfully drained into the river through Klong Bang Sue and the giant tunnels.
Lots of unrest around Don Mueang airport which could escalate further with citizens blocking the tollway and removing more water barriers. In fighting between the government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, each elected from opposing political parties, is not helping the situation. By 5PM, local time, today if the citizens around there are not satisfy they will block the tollway and remove more barriers.
If more barriers are removed then the floodwater might increase in the flooded areas in north Bangkok but the water should not be able to advance much more towards central or inner Bangkok. A lot of water pumps have been installed in Klong Ban Sue and along with the giant tunnels by Din Dang should be able to handle any excess water.
Eastern Bangkok.
The floodwater is still increasing along the Klongs(canals) there causing more flooding in Eastern Bangkok. The water is coming Westward and Southward from the flooded plains and could see some areas of inner Bangkok flooded from this. Not significant for tourists as these inner areas are not really on the tourist map.
Western Bangkok.
Another area that is seeing a lot of unrest by affected citizens. The remaining southern highway is still not flooded but everyone is predicting that it will. The government vain promise of creating an alternative route, which if works would add several kilometers or several hours of driving time. TV news stations are showing aerial report of the alternative highway going south and it looks like it will take several more days for this route to be ready – the government have promised that this route will be open by today. Promises like this are causing a lot of resentment towards the government and local administration.
Summary.
Civil unrest is the main concern IMO at the moment. This could result in the destruction of flood barriers or bigger protest. Areas that are flooded, with water over 2 meters in some place, are largely ignored by the relief workers or agencies. People there are extremely agitated. There are still over 500 people abandoned inside Don Mueang airport with no electricity, tap water and toilets. They have been there for 3 weeks now and are fed daily by boats from both the government and private citizens.
Central or inner Bangkok remains the same, dry and will not see total flooding IMO. People are generally somber in the dry area.
Nov 14th, 2011, 02:52 PM
#27
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You're welcome everyone.
Bob,
I see problems for the government right now! In an open budget debate last week both the government and opposition have already discussed the flooding and poor responses from the government. The cause of the flood was hotly debated but it wasn't a censure and only an open forum with regard to the national budget.
Both side agree at the end that the PM did not need to step down as I don't think the opposition leader want to run the country at the moment!
Bob,
I see problems for the government right now! In an open budget debate last week both the government and opposition have already discussed the flooding and poor responses from the government. The cause of the flood was hotly debated but it wasn't a censure and only an open forum with regard to the national budget.
Both side agree at the end that the PM did not need to step down as I don't think the opposition leader want to run the country at the moment!
Nov 14th, 2011, 04:32 PM
#28
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Flood Update:
Not much changes from my last update. For the visitors who are only interested in visiting central Bangkok then there's no worry right now.
More unrest by flooded and soon to be flooded people and threat of protests at various key roads/highways.
Apart from that nothing really important to report especially concerning travel to Thailand,.
Not much changes from my last update. For the visitors who are only interested in visiting central Bangkok then there's no worry right now.
More unrest by flooded and soon to be flooded people and threat of protests at various key roads/highways.
Apart from that nothing really important to report especially concerning travel to Thailand,.
Nov 15th, 2011, 12:30 AM
#31
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You're welcome Nicky and zefina.
I am going to Bangkok for a couple of days and then will be driving to Chiang Mai to spend a week at our resident there. I don't think there will be any more to report as the water is receding around the northern Bangkok front and this is really the only front that threaten central Bangkok.
Apart from the north, in the east and west of Bangkok the water is still increasing but will not threaten central Bangkok. Suvarnabhumi airport will most likely be safe from flooding.
I am going to Bangkok for a couple of days and then will be driving to Chiang Mai to spend a week at our resident there. I don't think there will be any more to report as the water is receding around the northern Bangkok front and this is really the only front that threaten central Bangkok.
Apart from the north, in the east and west of Bangkok the water is still increasing but will not threaten central Bangkok. Suvarnabhumi airport will most likely be safe from flooding.
Nov 15th, 2011, 05:40 AM
#34
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To better explain, most highways and roads in Thailand are built on top of landfills and are usually several meters higher then the surrounding land. I am sure I will be going pass areas where the highway(highway 1) will be surrounded by floodwater but according to the department of rural roads it's dry.
Nov 15th, 2011, 12:13 PM
#35
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Good!! I just recalled that the train route was flooded, and had some re-routing in order to make the trip to Chiang Mai. Maybe train tracks aren't as elevated as the highways.
Have a nice time!
Have a nice time!
Nov 15th, 2011, 04:00 PM
#36
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I flew from Chiang Mai to Bangkok on Saturday. The word that I heard was that the 10 hour drive was now going to take 15 hours because of flooded roads. There was no problem with flooding in the north (Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai were beautiful), but lots of evidence of disruption in Bangkok (including the highways being lined with hundreds of buses and taxis that need a place to part). The Grand Palace was pretty empty of tourists, and dry.
Nov 15th, 2011, 07:04 PM
#37
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Carol,
I will use the Don Muaeng tollway which is elevated until it clear Bangkok while the train track are submerged with floodwater almost directly underneath the tollway. Once pass Bangkok I believe the tracks are dry.
cathygreen,
Glad you like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. It usually take me around 6 hours to drive from Bangkok to CM but this time I'm going to allow 8 hours for the drive. We'll spend a week there and then perhaps drive to Nan or Phrae.
I will use the Don Muaeng tollway which is elevated until it clear Bangkok while the train track are submerged with floodwater almost directly underneath the tollway. Once pass Bangkok I believe the tracks are dry.
cathygreen,
Glad you like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. It usually take me around 6 hours to drive from Bangkok to CM but this time I'm going to allow 8 hours for the drive. We'll spend a week there and then perhaps drive to Nan or Phrae.
Nov 15th, 2011, 10:42 PM
#38
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thanks hanuman you are doing great help to people. i need advice from you. i am planning to come there
mumbai,india to bangkok on 22nd nov. 2011
bangkok to krabi 22nd nov. 2011
krabi to bangkok 25th nov, 2011
bangkok to mumbai india 29th nov, 2011
please advice me should i cancel my trip looking at the condition in bangkok. i am comming on my honeymoon trip. please reply as and when you receive as i have to cancel my tickets. i have booked centre point sukhmit soi 10 at bangkok for my stay.
mumbai,india to bangkok on 22nd nov. 2011
bangkok to krabi 22nd nov. 2011
krabi to bangkok 25th nov, 2011
bangkok to mumbai india 29th nov, 2011
please advice me should i cancel my trip looking at the condition in bangkok. i am comming on my honeymoon trip. please reply as and when you receive as i have to cancel my tickets. i have booked centre point sukhmit soi 10 at bangkok for my stay.
