THAILAND FLOOD CRISIS UP DATE

 

Flooding in the 1,568 square km Bangkok Metropolitan Area is taking place in suburbs in the east and west, the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, and districts in the northern part of the city. Central Bangkok remains mostly dry. Businesses, hotels, shops and tourist attractions currently remain open in areas including: Khao San Road,  Phetchaburi Road, Ploenchit, Chidlom, Pratunam, Rama 1 Road, Rama 4 Road, Ratchaprasong (Central World area), Sathorn, Siam Square/ MBK/Siam Paragon, Silom, Surawongse, Sukhumvit Road, The Emporium, Yaowarat (Chinatown)

Although some streets in outlying areas of city centre such as Lad Prao and Chatuchak have been partially flooded. The flood situation remains serious.

Puplic Transport :

Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is operating normally as are all upcountry airports. Don Muang Airport in north central Bangkok, which handles some domestic flights, is closed at present due to localised flooding, with Nok and Orient Air moving their services to Suvarnabhumi.

Other airports in Thailand that serve tourist destinations such as Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Sukhothai, are also operating as per normal

All BTS "skytrain"and Airport Express trains are currently operating normally. Four stations in the Lad Prao & Chatuchak areas of the MRT underground have been temporarily closed, but the underground system remains open and functioning. Cross-river ferries on the Chao Phraya are operating, but not the Riverboat Express. Shopping malls, restaurants and offices are all open for business. There are plenty of taxis, but they may not go to outlying districts of the city.

Upcountry areas :

Places NOT affected are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Hua-hin, Pattaya, Ko Chang, Rayong, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Ko Samui, and all other southern provinces.

For more information, call the TAT Information Line at 1672 or visit http://www.thailandtourismupdate.com/