Phuket or leave it: Flooded roads sink travel plans to island airport

[webfact]

Flooding across Phuket is wreaking havoc on travellers bound for the island’s international airport, as waterlogged roads spark major disruptions. Local officials are urging passengers to rethink their travel plans, advising them to allow an extra three to four hours to reach the airport in these treacherous conditions.

 

Phuket International Airport officials issued a public warning, strongly recommending the additional travel time to ensure no one misses their flight amid the weather-induced chaos. They also urged passengers to keep a close eye on the latest updates regarding the impact of the floods on flight schedules. So far, no flights have been delayed or cancelled due to the downpour.

Heavy overnight rain has left much of the island underwater, with the Thalang district, home to the key roads leading to the airport, bearing the brunt of the flooding. The situation forced local government officials to roll out warnings for both residents and tourists alike.

 

And it’s not over yet. The Thai Meteorological Department forecasted relentless rain throughout the week in Phuket and other provinces along the Andaman coast, warning of more heavy downpours to come.

“It is crucial for all passengers to monitor weather updates and plan their trips accordingly.”

Flooding has become an increasingly common issue in Phuket during the rainy season, impacting both locals and tourists alike. The current weather pattern is not unusual for this time of year but the intensity of the overnight downpours has been particularly troublesome.

 

Phuket officials are working to manage the floodwaters and ensure that main roads remain passable. However, with more rain expected, the situation remains fluid, and further disruptions are possible.

 

Travellers are advised to keep checking for updates on their flight status and road conditions. The airport’s recommendation to allow extra time for travel is a precautionary measure to help passengers navigate the unpredictable circumstances.

 

Emergency services and local government agencies are on high alert to provide assistance where needed and to mitigate the impact of the flooding on daily life and travel.

 

by Bob Scott
Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-08-19

 

-  Cigna offers a variety of health insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirement for medical treatment coverage, with benefits reaching up to THB 3 million. These plans are tailored to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for expatriates, ensuring peace of mind and access to quality medical services. To explore the full range of Cigna's expat health insurance options and find a plan that suits your needs, click here for more information.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[nakhonandy]

I have only been there on holiday and know it's very rainy around this time of year.

Luckily we never saw it this bad though.

[LivinginKata]

Not much rain south end of the Island

[VincentRJ]

Maybe this is due to 'climate change'. Oh no! Wait! Maybe it's due to:

 

"Rapid urbanisation without a suitable development plan has left Phuket vulnerable to natural disasters.

 

Moreover, roads that block waterways as well as clogged canals have aggravated the level of inundation.

 

Phuket city's flood-draining infrastructure -- which has been used for decades without any substantial improvements -- has not kept pace with the rate of urbanisation."

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2822743/dont-let-phuket-drown
 

[LennyW]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

However, with more rain expected, the situation remains fluid, and further disruptions are possible.

Oh really!!

[MalcolmB]

38 minutes ago, VincentRJ said:

Maybe this is due to 'climate change'.

Yeah, spot on, unfortunately this is the new reality.

 

Scientists told us 30 years ago it would be hotter and storms would be heavier.

We just had the hottest year on record, an absolute scorcher and these heavy rains are only going to get worse. 

 

The deniers all claimed 10-20-30 years ago it would never actually happen, but the scientists were spot on, and now with faced by the reality of it being hotter and wetter the deniers are deluding themselves now that it is a natural occurrence, which is also false. Many talk about how hot it was 3 billion years ago seemingly forgetting that humans did not exist then.

 

Thankfully the vast majority of people these days accept the reality and the conspiracy denier loons are a shrinking minority to be laughed at and are not being listened to when it comes to government policy.

 

 

[ikke1959]

The result of the money that the millions tourists bring to the island and how they spend it for infrastructure, decent ways, and facilities and their own pockets in the past decades

[London Lowf]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

However, with more rain expected, the situation remains fluid.......

 

That made me smile. I thought that it was accidental humour but, reading the headline, maybe not!

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

So far, no flights have been delayed or cancelled due to the downpour.

I wonder how many missed their flights though?

[Peterphuket]

12 hours ago, VincentRJ said:

Maybe this is due to 'climate change'. Oh no! Wait! Maybe it's due to:

 

"Rapid urbanisation without a suitable development plan has left Phuket vulnerable to natural disasters.

 

Moreover, roads that block waterways as well as clogged canals have aggravated the level of inundation.

 

Phuket city's flood-draining infrastructure -- which has been used for decades without any substantial improvements -- has not kept pace with the rate of urbanisation."

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2822743/dont-let-phuket-drown
 

This is 100% true and has been going on for more than 25 years,
There is still some nature in the middle of the island but wonder for how long.
And the authorities remain blind to it, the island is being completely destroyed.

[Tubulat]

4 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

This is 100% true and has been going on for more than 25 years,
There is still some nature in the middle of the island but wonder for how long.
And the authorities remain blind to it, the island is being completely destroyed.

Those authorities are not blind to it but they have no understanding of it.
You need experts for that, and where do we find them?

[Bert got kinky]

 

You need experts for that, and where do we find them?

AseanNow, we are top heavy with 'self-appointed' experts.

 

[petermik]

9 minutes ago, Bert got kinky said:

 

You need experts for that, and where do we find them?

AseanNow, we are top heavy with 'self-appointed' experts.

 

bob smith will sort it.....

[stevenl]

13 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

Not much rain south end of the Island

Yes, no rain at all in my shop. When I left I was very surprised to see Koktanod, 400 meters further, all wet from the rain.

[john donson]

venice of the east...

[LivingNThailand]

15 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

Not much rain south end of the Island

Nice for us, but the airport is in the North....Too much concrete jungle being built up there.

[Peterphuket]

3 hours ago, Bert got kinky said:

 

You need experts for that, and where do we find them?

AseanNow, we are top heavy with 'self-appointed' experts.

 

I think when I say TIT, you know the answer by yourself.

[Burma Bill]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Phuket officials are working to manage the floodwaters and ensure that main roads remain passable.

 

Welcome to your tropical paradise island holiday!!

[Bert got kinky]

1 hour ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Welcome to your tropical paradise island holiday!!

 

The wheelie bin capital of Thailand. 😎

 

[novacova]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

Phuket or leave it: 

Personally I’d say phuket and leave it.