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	THAILAND FLOODS........10.04am, Monday 31st October. First hand account……..Like most people I’ve been gathering news from the media but this morning I arrived back in Bangkok through districts badly affected by the floods. The mere fact that Highway 1 is passable north of the city is a cause for optimism. Concern for the districts west of the Chao Phraya has persisted for days and well as some areas on the eastern bank close to the river. There is still serious flooding at Wang Noi blocking Highway 2 to Saraburi and Isaan provinces. Buses are being diverted via Route 32, Ayutthaya and then Highway 1, at Bang Pa In. This route down into Rangsit is passable with care. Some standing water still persists but more of an obstacle seems to be the myriad of parked vehicles on the roadside. To left and right floodwater lingers. As we move onto the tollway at Rangsit, dawn reveals the large water feature know as Don Muang Airport obviously closed at the present time. From now on high sea levels should subside with remaining floodwater draining out into the Gulf. THAILAND FLOODS........10.45am, Sunday 30th October. PM sees situation improving……..As the tides peak this Saturday the principal flood barriers hold. While much of the city may breath a sigh of relief today the districts around the Chao Phraya in particular in Thonburi receive the full force of the runoff to the west of the city. However as a few new areas will be affected as the surge progresses towards the gulf the situation is expected to improve after Monday as the high tides subside an more residue is pumped into klongs and Bangkok’s underground drainage tunnel. THAILAND FLOODS........Saturday 29th October. Floodwater heads west........As high tides persist this weekend there is more misery in store for residents particularly to the west of Bangkok. The level in the Chao Phraya is expected to peak above the critical 2.5 metre sea level. Areas worst affected will be around Thonburi as floodwater seeks to run to its lowest point. The next couple of days will by critical until sea levels fall later in the week allowing floodwater to drain more rapidly into the Gulf. Presently trains from the south and west are reaching Nakhon Pathom but from there passengers are being bused into the city. Buses arriving at/departing from Mochit Mai bus terminal are unaffected but delays are expected due to revised routes. The Victory Monument transport hub is also unaffected and although domestic flights are being routed through Savarniphumbi Airport international flights proceed as normal. THAILAND FLOODS........Thursday 27th October. More districts evacuated........Floods have become more widespread in many parts of Bangkok and residents in Don Muang, Bang Phlad and Thawi Wattana districts have been urged to evacuate to safety immediately. Flooding has become more widespread in Don Muang effecting 90% of the district. Two more districts - Wang Thong Lang and Lat Phrao - are now under close watch. Water levels are still rising to the west of the city as runoff from Prathum Thani and Nonthaburi continues. High tides are expected again this weekend which should peak at 6pm Saturday. A five-day suspension of all but essential services in the city has been implemented with public offices, banks and schools closed. Residents have been advised to leave the city if possible to unaffected areas in the provinces. This has caused a mass exodus to various places typically south to Hua Hin, southeast to Pattaya and northeast as far as Korat causing widespread traffic jams. In Hua Hin hotel owners have reduced prices as a gesture of support for flood victims. Advice for foreigners is of course to avoid Bangkok. For those with a fixed itinerary there is no reason to cancel for travel to unaffected areas but due to many road closures this may cause delay. Added to that expect it to be busy especially in resort towns. If you are flexible then subject to advice you should still have an enjoyable stay in Thailand. October normally signals the end of the rainy season. Here on the Thai/Lao border there has been no rain for nearly two weeks. THAILAND FLOODS........5.19pm, Monday 24th October. Flood gates open, flood gates closed!!!........I'm getting just as confused as Bangkok residents as the emergency continues. In terms of travel information I can only advise you contact your tour operator. The situation does not prohibit travel even for tourists but be aware of some inconveniences. At present Bangkok's international airport at Savarniphumbi is not affected being protected by 5 metre high flood defences. THAILAND FLOODS……..Sunday 23rd October. Floodwaters reach the city’s north…………Several of Bangkok’s northern districts are now affected by water arriving from Prathum Thani. Worst affected is Don Muang where Phahon Yothin and parts of Vibhavadi Roads are under water. Lak Si is affected with water overflowing from Khlong Prapa while several areas near the Chao Phraya and Khlong Hok Wa are also affected. Predictions are that the Thonburi districts and Nakhon Pathom's Phuttamonthon will be affected by waters draining to the west of the city in the next few days. The flood barriers to the north and east are being stressed as the floodwaters fail to find a natural channel into the gulf. It may yet take many weeks for any respite from the present difficulties. Elsewhere………..The only good news, it seems at least, where I am here in Southern Laos the rains have stopped, the floods have receded and water levels in the Mekong River are falling. While for local people a great concern is for loss of a rice harvest, for the traveler the roads here in Champasak are in particularly bad condition. THAILAND FLOODS........Saturday 22nd October. PM takes charge of flood crisis………Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has invoked the disaster prevention law to take full control of flood operations as run-off from the North has started surging into Bangkok. Some areas of Don Muang and Laksi districts in Bangkok have been inundated by overflow from Khlong Prapa as a flood barrier at Khlong Bang Luang in Bangkok Yai district and swept into the khlong. Meanwhile a total of 356 people were confirmed dead and two people were missing in the floods that have inundated many provinces since July 25. THAILAND FLOODS........8.07am, Friday 21st October. Impossible Odds.........It seems now, that after more than a week of frantic efforts to divert the mass of water bearing down on the capital, that options are running out. It is expected today that much of northern and eastern Bangkok will experience flooding as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) prepare to open floodgates to many of the city's canals allowing runoff of huge volumes of water presently flowing around the north of the city. In those risk areas announced in Wednesday, residents are asked to more their possessions to higher ground and prepare for evacuation!! THAILAND FLOODS........11.57am, Thursday 20th October. Government sacrifices eastern Bangkok…..In a bid to save the economic heart of the capital amid surging water levels, the government has finally opted to use the eastern part of Bangkok to drain massive amounts of floodwaters from the northern outskirts. The drainage of floodwaters through eastern Bangkok will affect seven of its districts, namely Sai Mai, Klong Sam Wa, Kannayao, Min Buri, Lat Krabang, Bang Khen and Nong Chok. This evening will be key to knowing the extent to which this development will affect these communities. Elsewhere all six districts of Nonthaburi province are now flooded with Bang Bua Thong and Pak Kret districts being the worst hit. Further afield in Isaan the Moon River has burst its banks. A huge volume of rainfall and water discharged from four large reservoirs in Nakon Ratchasima Province has caused the water level in the Moon River to rise sharply and overflow affecting more than 2,000 rai of rice paddy in Non Sung district. Part of the Buriram-Surin highway No 226 has been flooded. The Moon River runs east draining into the Mekong River at Klong Chiam, Ubon Ratchathani province. More on this will appear in my travel log. THAILAND FLOODS........6.29am, Wednesday 19th October As the battle to save Bangkok in the outer defense ring at Sai Mai continues today I am leaving Bang Khen for Ubon Ratchathani. This is a pre-arranged visit but I will keep in touch with developments here in the capital………. THAILAND FLOODS........10.17am, Tuesday 18th October. New threat…………As the days pass and the hastily reinforced dykes still hold, Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra has warned that the area to the north of the city is still at risk as a large volume of northern runoff has been flowing into Khlong Rangsit. This new surge is likely to hit tomorrow (Wednesday). The districts most under threat are Sai Mai and Don Muang. However the dykes continue to be reinforced with sandbags. I am presently based in Bang Khen which is adjacent to Sai Mai District so people here are paying close attention to developments. As in other areas of the city some business have erected block and cement barriers around their entrances. They would prove more effective than the sand bags which are prone to ‘disappear’. They are easily and cheaply erected and a good insurance policy despite being unsightly and an inconvenience to customers who have to use blocks and boards to gain access. The Krung Thai Bank in Kubon Road is a typical example. THAILAND FLOODS........10.51am, Monday 17th October. Thai PM Yingluck declares the floods are under control, the water level is dropping and inner Bangkok is safe. The government has expressed confidence that the capital will escape the worst of the country's current flooding. Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut said there were "good signs" that water levels on the city's key Chao Phraya River would rise no higher. This also implies that the dykes protecting the city will hold. He added that major upstream dams such as the Bhumibol in Tak, Sirikit in Uttaradit and Pasak Jolasid in Lop Buri were discharging significantly less water, meaning no more flood water was being retained in the North that could threaten downstream provinces. However if the threat has eased in the city, the provinces directly to the north and east are still suffering. It will take some time for floodwater to discharge from low lying land particularly in the Chao Phraya basin from Nakorn Sawan to the metropolis. Particularly affected is Ayutthaya Province and Phathum Thani as flood water continues to be channeled to the east of the city. Travelers are advised to check with their tour operator and avoid destinations affected if they wish to travel. THAILAND FLOODS........3.28pm, Sunday 16th October. Breaking News....Its now reported that the high water levels in rivers caused by the the run-off from dams up country have eventually reached the ocean. This being the case the immediate threat to the outer flood defenses of Bangkok is reduced. More later....... THAILAND FLOODS........Saturday 15th October. Latest reports confirm the water level is still rising to the north of Bangkok. A red alert has been issued by the Bangkok governor who inspected the city flood defenses in Prathum Thani Province just 15 kilometers north of the city. Every effort is being made to sure up the defenses with 200,000 sand bags and canals are being dredged but more work is needed as the levels continue to rise. At least another 17 districts are at risk if the defenses are breached. The next three days are critical as high tides prevent floodwaters draining quickly into the ocean. The water is naturally funneling into the narrow channel moving down from Ayutthaya Province through Prathum Thani but at present is being diverted by the dikes through Lat Prabang into Samut Prakan Province to the east and Nakorn Phatom to the west. There are no fears for Savarniphumbi Airport as this is well protected by design but there are reports of another industrial estate in Bang Pha In being overtaken by the floodwater. This area houses high-tech industries so there is bound to be a knock-on effect for the economy. Meanwhile there are worries that fresh foods normally arriving from the north are being held up through the floods. Receiving mixed messages and feelings about the situation here in Bang Khen. I decided to venture out as planned heading for Mahachai (Samut Sakorn Province). I first arrived at Morchit Mai (New Morchit Bus Terminal) then on into the city eventually crossing the river into Klong San district. From here I took the local train to Mahachai. Given what I read and see on TV I’m looking out for evidence of the flooding. Yes The Chao Phraya River is very high, at record levels so I understand, but has nowhere here in the Sanam Luang area breached its banks. Some local shops have been preparing for the worst by procuring sandbags. Others have gone one step further and prepared low cement walls around their business entrances. But overwhelmingly I get the sense of ‘business as usual’, nothing really out of the ordinary. At Mahachai the Thageen River is also swollen as this is an important drain-off area for water to the west of Bangkok but this delta area can accommodate huge amounts of water. However as I get back to Bang Khen negotiating the usual deluge from the heavens I read the news reports which continue to breed concern if not panic here. THAILAND FLOODS........5.04pm, Friday 14th October. YINGLUCK SHINAWATRA THAI PRIME MINISTER declares "The widespread flood problem is reaching crisis level, the worst in decades." Already the whole of nearby Ayutthaya province has been declared a disaster area as the deluge continues to bear down on the capital, Bangkok, having started in the North of the country and affecting 30 provinces so far. The monsoon rains show no signs of abating as a severe weather front sits across the central regions stretching as far as the Vietnamese coast. High water levels are approaching Bangkok’s northern suburbs threatening important industrial sites and fears for the city area are growing. In an attempt to divert the water from the centre floodwater is being drained to the east and west of the city. While this will cause hardship to those areas affected it is hoped that the centre will be spared. However the levels are yet to peak as the water moves down from the central-northern provinces. The concern is that this coincides with high-tide between 15th and 17th October when the water will not drain so easily into the ocean. Already some 280 people have died. In Bangkok there seems to be reluctance on the part of residents to abandon their homes. In many cases they are ignoring better advice. Government workers are working round the clock providing barriers to protect sensitive areas. This work is being hampered by residents who are removing sand bags for their own use! Nevertheless work continues apace. Here in Bang Khen where I am staying it is near to the eastern ‘drain’ and there is evidence of water spilling over in the nearby klongs (canals). A note has just been passed to me declaring that this area is not under immediate threat. Nevertheless people here are preparing for the worst and sandbags are arriving to sure up the klongs as well as local businesses. I am presently waiting here now considering options.
Floods Expand into City Streets
Chao Phraya River in Full Flood
Moon River in Ubon Ratchathani in Full Flood
Floodwater Reaches Bangkok Streets
A Multistory Car Park or a Place of Safety?
New Style Compact Family Transport
New Fashion Footware for Bangkok Floods

If you have any information on the flooding in Thailand I would be pleased to hear from you Email: marchespast@yahoo.co.uk