Situation Update: Flooding in Thailand
Issued at Bangkok at 14:00 (GMT+7) on 23 November 2011
Flood waters are receding in most of the affected areas of Thailand’s central provinces and several districts of greater Bangkok. Central Bangkok was not affected by the flood. No provinces in the south, north, and northeast of Thailand are affected by the flood. Almost all key tourist destinations and attractions throughout Thailand were not affected by the flood.
As the flooding situation has become more stable, the TAT will provide further situation updates as needed to reflect changing conditions.
Situation in Bangkok
In the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, the central part of the city where most tourists go was not affected by the flood. It is expected to remain dry. Flood water is receding in many districts of Bangkok. This includes the Chatuchak District, where Chatuchak Weekend Market is located. The market itself is not flooded. Central Plaza Lad Phrao, which is also in the Chatuchak District, has reopened.
Areas still flooded in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area include suburbs in the east and west, the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, and districts in the northern part of the city.
In central Bangkok, businesses, hotels, shops and tourist attractions are open as per normal in areas including:
· Khao San Road | · Ratchaprasong (Central World area) |
· Phetchaburi Road | · Sathorn |
· Ploenchit/ Chidlom | · Siam Square/ MBK/ Siam Paragon |
· Pratunam | · Silom/ Surawongse |
· Rama I Road | · Sukhumvit Road/ The Emporium |
· Rama IV Road | · Yaowarat (Chinatown) |
Tourists who want to check the latest conditions can call the TAT Information Line at 1672 or visit TAT’s official Web site for flood information: www.thailandtourismupdate.com. Service operators can also provide additional information.
The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are operating normally. Taxis and tuk tuks are available as per normal. Some BMTA bus routes are still rerouted or suspended due to the flooding. Some express boat services on the Chao Phraya River have resumed.
Transportation
Suvarnabhumi Airport:
Suvarnabhumi Airport, the main international gateway to Thailand, remains open and will not be affected by the flood. Suvarnabhumi Airport is the main connector for international arrivals to domestic flights serving tourist destinations throughout Thailand such as Phuket, Chiang Mai and Surat Thani. Domestic flights are operating as per normal between Suvarnabhumi Airport and other airports in Thailand.
Transportation to and from the airport into central Bangkok including taxis, buses and the Airport Rail Link are operating normally. Highways from the airport to tourist destinations southeast of Bangkok such as Pattaya, Rayong and Ko Chang are open.
The two domestic airlines normally based at Don Mueang Airport, which is still closed due to flooding, continue operating from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
State Railway of Thailand and inter-provincial bus services:
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and inter-provincial bus services are operating as per usual in areas that are not affected by the floods. In Bangkok and other areas affected by the floods, the SRT and inter-provincial bus service operators have adjusted their routes to best serve passengers given local conditions. Inter-provincial buses from Bangkok to southern provinces are leaving from the Southern Bus Terminal, also known as Sai Tai Mai.
Train services to north and northeastern Thailand are operating as per normal from Hua Lamphong Station, with some delays due to rerouting. Train services to the southern provinces are operating from Hua Lamphong Station and Nakhon Pathom due to flooding in some areas of Bangkok’s western suburbs. The SRT is providing shuttle bus services between Hua Lamphong Station and Nakhon Pathom. Travelers are advised to check in advance with these operators and may want to consider flying to their destinations within Thailand.
Situation in Ayutthaya
Flood waters have also subsided in most areas of the island of Ayutthaya. Cleanup operations have been underway since the second week of November. Tourist attractions in Ayutthaya including the World Heritage Site will reopen officially once a detailed inspection by the Fine Arts Department is complete.
Attractions in Ayutthaya that are now open and welcoming visitors are:
· Ayutthaya Royal Elephant Kraal
· Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
· Wat Yai Chai Mongkol and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha
· Chankasem National Museum
· Wat Ratchaburana (Ayutthaya)
· Wat Phra Si Sanphet
· Wat Phra Mahathat
· Wat Phra Ram
Other Provinces in Thailand
Most provinces in Thailand were not affected by the flood. No provinces in the south, north, and northeast of Thailand are affected by the flood. The flooding has subsided in most of the central provinces including Ang Thong, and Chai Nat. Cleanup operations are underway.
Provinces in the central area not affected by the floods:
· Chanthaburi | · Ratchaburi |
· Chachoengsao | · Rayong |
· Chon Buri (Pattaya) | · Samut Prakan |
· Kanchanaburi | · Samut Songkhram |
· Lop Buri | · Sa Kaeo |
· Nakhon Nayok | · Saraburi |
· Phetchaburi (Cha Am) | · Suphanburi |
· Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) | · Singburi |
· Prachin Buri | · Trat (Ko Chang) |
Information sources:
TAT’s official Web site for flood information: www.thailandtourismupdate.com
English-language sources:
The Government Public Relations Department: http://thailand.prd.go.th/
BMA Announcement on Flooding Situation in Bangkok:
Airports of Thailand: http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/index_en.php
Thai- language sources:
Flood Relief Operation Center (FROC): http://www.floodthailand.net/
BMA Flood Control Center: http://203.155.220.231/intranet/Forecast/fcc.htm
BMA Announcement on Flooding Situation in Bangkok:
State Railway of Thailand: http://www.railway.co.th/home/Default.asp
English-language newspapers offering continuous updates on the flooding situation:
Bangkok Post: http://www.bangkokpost.com
The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com
Useful Contact Numbers:
TAT Call Center: 1672 (8:00 – 20:00 hrs, everyday)
Tourist Assistance Center: 02-283-1500 and 02-356-0655
Tourist Police: 1155
Suvarnabhumi Airport Call Center: 02-132-1888
Thai Airways: 02-356-1111
Bangkok Airways: 02-265-8777
Air Asia: 02-515-9999
Nok Air: 1318 or 02-900-9955
Orient Thai Airlines: 1126
Airport Rail Link Call Center: 1690
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Call Center: 1690
Transport Co.,Ltd. Hotline: 1490
(Inter-provincial bus service)
BTS Call Center 02-617-6000
MRT Call Center 02-624-5200
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