Update: Most Tourist Destinations In Thailand Not Affected By Floods

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. Almost all key tourist destinations and attractions throughout Thailand were not affected by the flood.

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. Express boat services on the Chao Phraya River have also been suspended, as have most water-related tourist activities.

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 a temporary station at the car park of the Holland Beer House on Rama II Road in the southwest part of Bangkok.

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 mainly from Nakhon Pathom due to flooding in 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 Phanan Choeng Ayutthaya
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha

Other Provinces in Thailand

Most provinces in Thailand were not affected by the flood.

Provinces in the north not affected by the floods:

Chiang Mai Phayao Chiang Rai Phetchabun Kampheang Phet Phrae Lampang Sukhothai Lamphun Tak Mae Hong Son Uttaradit Nan

The flooding has subsided in northern provinces including Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Uthai Thani and cleanup operations are underway.

Provinces in the northeast not affected by the floods:

Amnat Charoen Nong Khai Buengkan Roi Et Buriram Sakon Nakhon Chaiyaphum Si Sa Ket Loei Surin Mukdahan Ubon Ratchathani Nakhon Phanom Udon Thani Nakhon Ratchasima Yasothon Nong Bua Lam Phu

The flooding has subsided in northeastern provinces including Kalasin, Khon Kaen, and Maha Sarakham and cleanup operations are underway.

Provinces in the central area not affected by the floods:

Chanthaburi Ratchaburi Chachoengsao Rayong Chon Buri (Pattaya) Samut Prakan Kanchanaburi Nakhon Nayok Samut Songkhram Sa Kaeo Phetchaburi (Cha Am) Prachin Buri Suphanburi Trat (Ko Chang) Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin)

The flooding has subsided in central provinces including Ang Thong, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Saraburi, and Singburi and cleanup operations are underway.

No provinces in the south were affected by the flood:

Chumphon Phuket Krabi Ranong Nakhon Si Thammarat Songkhla (Hat Yai) Narathiwat Satun Pattani Surat Thani (Ko Samui) Phang Nga Trang Phatthalung Yala

Manufacturers and distributors have re-established stable supply lines for consumer products. Local brands of bottled water and beer are available in most locations, as are imported brands of bottled water and beer.

Highway 35, a major road to the south also known as Rama II Road, remains open.

As flood waters are draining through the area of western Bangkok in which this highway is located, the Transport Ministry has prepared alternate routes to ensure continued access to destinations to the south such as Hua Hin, Cha-Am and Chumphon, as well as to the west such as Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi.

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:

http://www.bangkokgis.com/flood/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=34&Itemid=90

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:

http://www.bangkokgis.com/flood/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=1&Itemid=65