Still going to Bangkok Nov. 16-22
Oct 30th, 2011, 02:34 PM
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Still going to Bangkok Nov. 16-22
As of today, we are still planning on our Nov. 16-22 stay in Bangkok. Seems a lot of people are staying away, but we're hoping for the best. We're planning on two days with Tong, or others in her company. From the reports I've heard, the central part of Bangkok is still dry. We, of course, may need to change plans for some of our visits to outlying areas. We were planning a day trip to Ayutthaya; does anyone know how that area was affected by the flooding?
Oct 30th, 2011, 02:43 PM
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City center is still dry. Have you talked (emailed) with Tong? Her house was flooded and she could not get out. You might want to reconfirm her time with you. Flooding COULD still happen, but I don't think any water would stay put for very long.
If it were me, I would not be going to Ayutthaya at this time. Even if it would become dry, there could still be problems with mosquitos and sewerage smell, etc. This city needs some time to clean up before I would go there.
I'm leaving Bangkok today. I have been in-country for 2 weeks, most of it in lower Sukhumvit, Bangkok. I kept expecting flooding and it did not materialize. That does not mean everything will be just fine. Thailand and Bangkok city center are not totally out of the woods yet.
Enjoy your trip.
If it were me, I would not be going to Ayutthaya at this time. Even if it would become dry, there could still be problems with mosquitos and sewerage smell, etc. This city needs some time to clean up before I would go there.
I'm leaving Bangkok today. I have been in-country for 2 weeks, most of it in lower Sukhumvit, Bangkok. I kept expecting flooding and it did not materialize. That does not mean everything will be just fine. Thailand and Bangkok city center are not totally out of the woods yet.
Enjoy your trip.
Oct 30th, 2011, 04:07 PM
#4
Do reconfirm with Tong. We received a form email from her saying that she might not be able to respond to emails, so if you don't receive a reply from her she was advising travelers who have bookings with her to text her at +66 81 835 0240.
The day we toured with her guide Jerry(wonderful by the way) Oct. 20, Tong was fleeing from her flooded home by car.
Bangkok Food Tours ( we also loved our tour) was temporarily canceling their tours so check their website for updates for them too. Hopefully these wonderful people can keep their businesses going.
The day we toured with her guide Jerry(wonderful by the way) Oct. 20, Tong was fleeing from her flooded home by car.
Bangkok Food Tours ( we also loved our tour) was temporarily canceling their tours so check their website for updates for them too. Hopefully these wonderful people can keep their businesses going.
Oct 30th, 2011, 04:11 PM
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Looks like Ayutthaya might be out for this trip. I have been following Tong on Facebook, and I know she has had problems, so we are patiently waiting for a reply. We will just need to be flexible.
Oct 30th, 2011, 07:17 PM
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Delta is letting one change their tickets with no fee, but they have to travel before Nov. 14. We leave on the 15th. I will text Tong. We don't want to put added pressure on her, but we would also like to support her company during this hard time. Bangkok Foof Tours said they have stopped all tours for the time being. Our tour with them 19th.
Oct 30th, 2011, 10:49 PM
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BTW, the weekend market in BKK is closed until further notice. It did not get flooding (yet) but was going to close as a precaution. I'd look for it to re-open in another week or so. There is still lots of water to the north of BKK. I saw it from my plane this morning, as I left BKK for ORD. Wish I'd had my camera handy!! Darn!!
Oct 31st, 2011, 02:13 AM
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If the BKK food tours take you in to Chinatown , they are getting some water in that area. Also if you are staying with a riverside hotel, I would call them directly and see what the situation is. Some of them are haveing hightide washover, not really flooding. The palace and watts you would be going to on a tour have been basically ok. Any financial support you can give the Thais is sorely needed.
Oct 31st, 2011, 06:46 AM
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We are staying at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, so we are not right by the water. We will be making donations through our church which gives direct humanitarian aid there and through the Thai Red Cross. Since we will be missing a few of our tours, does anyone know of somewhere where we could volunteer some time to help while we're there?
Oct 31st, 2011, 07:50 AM
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Just got a notice from Bangkok Food Tours that they will be starting their tours again in a few days..Their Banrak Lunch Tour is very near the water in one place. Glad to hear they will be back touring soon.
Oct 31st, 2011, 07:58 AM
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Hanuman gave info on flood relief centers in his long thread, but you might want to wait until you get there, as I expect things will have changed and relief centers may have moved by the time you arrive.
