Thai flood crisis: Updated info for tourists

Bangkok’s slow-moving flood crisis continues to keep residents on edge as waters move further into the city, while uncertainty and mixed messages remain the norm.

In Thursday’s Bangkok Post, Thailand’s Irrigation Department is quoted as saying the city could be dry in 11 days, as over half of the northern runoff has already passed into the sea.

A far less optimistic report in The Nation quotes Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra as saying the volume of water entering the city is much greater than the amount being pushed out.
As of Thursday, parts of Ratchadaphisek Road are experiencing flooding, but most major tourist areas in central Bangkok, such as Sukhumvit Road, Siam and Silom, are still dry. Shopping malls, bars and restaurants in those areas are open, while most major hotels are operating as usual, including those on the Chao Phraya River.

Several riverside communities are flooded, some close to popular tourist attractions like Khao San Road, the Grand Palace and Chinatown, but those three tourist attractions are flood free. For a detailed look at which areas of interest to visitors are affected by floods and which attractions are closed, check out this Google tourist flood map.
In terms of local transportation, the BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are running on their usual schedules, though the Chao Phraya River Ferry has stopped service until the situation eases. Certain MRT stations in flooded neighborhoods are being monitored closely, but all are open as of Thursday.

Expressways are all open and unaffected by floods, including the road to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which is still dry.

However, the floods have disrupted Bangkok’s food- and water-supply chains. Many convenience stores and supermarket shelves are regularly short of items like bottled water, beer and non-perishable food.
Elsewhere in Thailand

As of Wednesday, all airports in Thailand with the exception of Don Muang are operating as usual.

Don Muang is Bangkok’s secondary domestic airport and is now flooded. Flights have since been moved to Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok’s main international airport, which is unaffected by the floods.

On Thursday, domestic airline Nok Air announced that it would continue to operate out of Suvarnabhumi until January 31, 2012.
Many airlines are waiving administrative fees for passengers who have booked flights to Bangkok and wish to reschedule or cancel their journeys.

For those tourists who don’t want to cancel their Thailand vacations, major tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi, Ratchburi, Pattaya, Ko Chang, Rayong, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Ko Samui are all flood free.

Meanwhile, some good news for Ayutthaya residents. Media reports say the flood waters in the ancient capital have subsided in most areas and a massive cleanup is planned for this week. The TAT says tourist attractions there will reopen once they have been restored.

According to the TAT, train services to northeastern Thailand are operating as per normal, while services to the northern provinces are operating between Hualamphong station in central Bangkok and Chiang Mai, though are being rerouted around flooded areas, adding approximately two hours of travel time.

Train services to the southern provinces are operating from Hualamphong station or Nakhon Pathom if required due to flooding in Bangkok’s western suburbs. The State Railway of Thailand is providing shuttle bus services between Hualamphong station and Nakhon Pathom when needed. Contact the SRT Call Center at 1690 for the latest updates and information.

Long-distance inter-provincial bus services from Bangkok are still operating, though some are taking alternative routes to avoid flooded areas of Thailand, resulting in increased travel times. Buses from Bangkok to southern provinces are leaving from a temporary station with shuttle services to and from the Southern Bus Terminal, also known as Sai Tai Mai.

Call 1490 for the latest bus schedule and route information.
Thai flood resources

Thailand blogger Richard Barrow’s Thaitravelblogs.com offers continuous updates on the flood situation. Click here to follow him on Twitter. Barrow also offers some advice to tourists wondering whether they should cancel their plans in this article.

Bangkok blogger and writer Newley Purnell posts a daily roundup of flood-related news, maps and information on his blog, Newley.com.

English-language news websites the Bangkok Post, The Nation and state-run MCOT all have in-depth coverage of the Thailand floods.

The TAT’s news site offers semi-regular updates on the floods. Tourists can also call the TAT Information Line at 1672 to check local conditions, or visit the Thailand Meteorological Department website for updated weather forecasts.

For visitors in Thailand looking to assist with the country’s flood relief efforts, the Bangkok Post has compiled a list of organizations accepting money and/or supplies.
Child-rights organization Plan has been assisting with the crisis by delivering supplies to flood-hit communities. For more on their work and other flood-related news, follow them on Twitter.

Impact Your World page has links to international organizations assisting with Thailand’s flood relief efforts.

A Facebook page and Twitter account called “Thai Flood” has been set up to offer English updates on how volunteers can help and what supplies are needed.