Flooding in Thailand

Over the past several weeks, seasonal rains that are heavier than usual have resulted in widespread flooding in Thailand. While the flooding is having some impact on tourism, most key tourist destinations and attractions throughout Thailand have not been affected by the floods and almost all remain open. The floods are mainly affecting the provinces in central Thailand and a few provinces in the north and northeast. Flood waters in some provinces in northern Thailand has begun to subside. Provinces in the south of Thailand have not been affected by the floods.  Ayutthaya has been the only tourist destination widely affected by the floods, while other provinces where tourists generally go have been slightly impacted.

Major tourist destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Pattaya, Ko Chang, Rayong, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Ko Samui, and all provinces in southern Thailand are experiencing normal weather conditions.

All airports in Thailand, including Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, have not been affected by the floods and are operating as per usual. Suvarnabhumi Airport has considerable flood protection measures in place and officials are monitoring the situation closely.

Flood waters are being drained through parts of Bangkok in a controlled manner. Most areas of central Bangkok where tourists normally go are not flooded and fully accessible. The government has enacted measures under which military personnel will help to protect central Bangkok and key transportation facilities such as Suvarnabhumi Airport from flooding.

Tourist destinations in the north, such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, are best accessed by air as some roads and railways in the central provinces are closed due to the floods. Provinces in southern and eastern Thailand remain fully accessible by road and train.

Train services from Bangkok to northern destinations are suspended due to the tracks being flooded.  The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is offering full refunds on tickets for travelers who want to cancel their trips to destinations where train service is suspended.  Train services to other parts of Thailand are available as per normal.

Tourists planning to travel to the provinces affected by the floods are advised to check the latest weather forecasts for their destination and confirm arrangements with the transportation providers with which they will be travelling.  Tourists can call the TAT Information Line at 1672 to check local conditions, or visit the Thailand Meteorological Department web site at http://www.tmd.go.th/en for updated weather forecasts.

Major events going ahead as scheduled include:

·      The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Fair 2011 opens in Chiang Mai on November 9th and runs until February 2012

·      Phimai Festival, from November 9th to 13th, at Phimai Historical Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province

·      The “5th Thailand International Balloon Festival” in Chiang Mai from November 25th to 27th.