Flood in Thailand

Since mid-October, flooding has taken place in Thailand’s Northeast and Central regions. The flooding is mainly affecting low-lying agricultural land and areas near major waterways such as the Chao Phraya River. Tourist destinations within Thailand, most of which are located outside of these areas, have not been affected by the floods. Transportation links to tourist destinations within Thailand are operating normally, as is Suvarnabhumi Airport. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is well prepared and monitoring the situation closely. While some flooding is occurring in suburban areas adjacent to the Chao Phraya River, the BMA is confident that the other parts of the city will not be affected by the floods.

Q&As

1. Is it safe to come to Thailand with all of the floods that are taking place?

· Yes, as the flooding has taken place in Thailand’s Northeast and Central regions, mainly in low-lying agricultural land and areas near major waterways such as the Chao Phraya River

· Tourist destinations within Thailand, most of which are located outside of these areas, have not been affected by the floods.

· Transportation links to tourist destinations within Thailand are operating normally, as is Suvarnabhumi Airport.

2. The flood water appears to be approaching Bangkok. Will the city be flooded?

· Rainy season happens annually in Thailand, so the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMS) is well prepared to handle the situation

· The BMA’s vast network of flood walls and dikes has been fortified, and other water management measures such as water gates and pumping systems are prepared to deal with the increased flow of water

· Some localized flooding is occurring in suburban communities adjacent to the Chao Phraya River but the majority of the city should not be affected.

3. What about Suvarnabhumi Airport – is there a chance it may be closed down by flooding?

· The airport is more than 20 Km away from the Chao Phraya River so should not be affected by the floods.

4. I have seen reports that highways and railways have been closed by floods. Won’t this make it a problem for tourists to get around?

· Some transportation links close to major waterways in the Northeast and Central Regions have been affected by the floods, but the majority of main routes remain open

· Traffic is being detoured around the closed sections until they are re-opened, which should be within the next few days

· Domestic air travel has not been affected by the floods.

5. Why would anybody want to visit Thailand right now, with all the rain and flooding? Isn’t it better to wait and come later?

· The rainy season is an annual occurrence, and only the Northeastern and Central areas have been affected by the flooding

· The flood waters are receding in the Northeast and are expected to pass through the Greater Bangkok area by the end of this week

· Tourist destinations elsewhere within Thailand, most of which are located outside of these areas, have not been affected by the floods and are enjoying good weather.

6. Is the flooding worse this year than in other years? I haven’t heard about major floods in Thailand before.

· The rainy season is an annual occurrence, and only the Northeastern and Central areas have been affected by the flooding

· The rains have been heavier than normal this year, which has caused the flooding of low-lying agricultural land and areas near major waterways such as the Chao Phraya River.

7. Has the flooding cause any fatalities, and are any of the victims tourists?

· The floods have caused around 41 fatalities, and none of the victims have been tourists.