Historical Flooding Data

[nomadic]

I've been googling to no avail... I'm considering building a home in the Nakhon Phanom area, and I would like to build elevated to protect against flood damage. I figure if I can find the water level during the worst flooding on record and build to that height, I should be covered, right? Anybody have any idea where I can find that data?

[terrier123]

Nakhon Phanom is a big area but there are plenty of foreigners around who would give you details where floods and where doesn't. Get your lady to ask at the local water authority in Bang Nong Seng. Strangely, along the river where prices are dearest, there is no flooding; but go a few sois west and into the town centre, the drains sometimes just back up in the heaviest downpours. If there's no urgency to build, wait until next rainy season and drive around.

Land prices near the river are through the roof because of the new bridge; but go a few miles out and there is still plenty at reasonable prices.

[nomadic]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I am in Nakhon Phanom province, in Na Thom (Moomon, I'm told, but I haven't yet been able to find it on the map). I haven't asked around much, but given the distance from anything anyone would actually want to live near, and the fact that most of the children here have never seen a farang, I am guessing one so inclined could pick up "huge tracts of land" for relatively cheap. I'm also not sure about flooding here, but there are quite a few medium-sized rivers and lakes within a few minutes' drive, and the landscape is as flat as a pancake, so I can see the potential. A good friend just lost everything (house washed away) in the central Vietnam flooding, so it has put the fear into me. I should probably just ask the lady to ask the old man and stop bothering the forum.

EDIT: Are there any farangs around here? It's a great adventure living in a tiny village in deep Isaan, but it gets a bit lonely.

Edited October 16, 2010 by nomadic

[lonewolf99]

I have visited deepest flat featureless Isaan. It came as a shock to me that the romatic notion of small terraced padi fields of rice actualy belong to other worlds and another time.

Deepest flat Isaan could be the Prairies or the Steppes.

As a rule of thumb in building a flood free house you might gauge it by what the locals have done. Basically I see 2nd floors about 10 feet up.

If it gets worse than that you should have built an ARK. In fact you can have a wooden house built in the shape of a boat.

The other drawback to this area is ....what do you do to pass the time ??? Be careful you do not go stir crazy....get a hobby......:jap:

[terrier123]

I just googled Na Thom and it shows you in the North East corner of NP Province -- is that where you are.? If so, there are quite a few ex-pats in the Sawang Deang Din area and I have a friend in Si Songkhram. Other than those 2 places I imagine you'll be very much alone up there but surrounded by plenty of waterfalls and interesting places.

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I am in Nakhon Phanom province, in Na Thom (Moomon, I'm told, but I haven't yet been able to find it on the map). I haven't asked around much, but given the distance from anything anyone would actually want to live near, and the fact that most of the children here have never seen a farang, I am guessing one so inclined could pick up "huge tracts of land" for relatively cheap. I'm also not sure about flooding here, but there are quite a few medium-sized rivers and lakes within a few minutes' drive, and the landscape is as flat as a pancake, so I can see the potential. A good friend just lost everything (house washed away) in the central Vietnam flooding, so it has put the fear into me. I should probably just ask the lady to ask the old man and stop bothering the forum.

EDIT: Are there any farangs around here? It's a great adventure living in a tiny village in deep Isaan, but it gets a bit lonely.

[Johnniey]

Not sure where to find but I remember the great flood of 1995 - walking waist high along Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok.

[knehredlum]

Nomadic,

I try to PM you because i lived near you 15 k from Na Thom, the PM i send is that received by you?

[nomadic]

Nomadic,

I try to PM you because i lived near you 15 k from Na Thom, the PM i send is that received by you?

Yeah, I got it, but I've been trying to stay away from the computer lately.

I've made a few trips into na thom but haven't seen any farang yet. I'm in ban moomon, BTW. If you want to find me just ask the first person you see where the white monkey lives.