Bangkok's Residents Flee Thai Floods

[webfact]

Crowds join Bangkok exodus as floods advance

by Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK, October 27, 2011 (AFP) - Thousands of nervous Bangkok residents flocked to bus, rail and air terminals Thursday while heavy traffic snaked out of the sprawling Thai capital in an exodus from a mass of approaching floodwater.

Water was seeping into central areas of the city of 12 million people, entering the grounds of the Grand Palace after the Chao Phraya river overflowed at high tide, but most of downtown Bangkok was still dry.

Many residents hunkered down in their homes, surrounded by sandbags or in some cases even hastily erected concrete block walls, after the government ordered a five-day holiday for 21 provinces including Bangkok from Thursday.

"It's a crisis, because if we try to resist this massive amount of floodwater, a force of nature, we won't win," said a teary-eyed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, facing a major test of her two-month-old leadership.

"But if we allow it to flow freely then people in many areas are prepared," added the former businesswoman, the sister of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Crowds of people abandoned their homes and headed to areas away from the path of the water, especially to the beach resorts of Hua Hin, Phuket and Pattaya.

"All of these destinations are packed with Thais who have moved from Bangkok," said Tourism Authority of Thailand deputy chief Sansern Ngaorungsi.

He said domestic flights from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport -- the country's main air hub, which is still operating as normal -- were also "very, very packed".

A steady flow of Thais and foreigners streamed into the capital's bus terminals as people sought to escape, while Bangkok's main train station was crowded and roads north and east out of the city were choked.

"I saw on the news that the water is getting closer. Maybe it's not going to come but I don't want to take a chance," 72-year-old Canadian Claude Kerrignan said as he waited to board a bus to Pattaya.

"Many people in my building have left already. Around where I live they have sandbags four feet (1.2 metres) high but if what they say is true it's going to be higher than that," he added.

Government offices, schools and some businesses were shut across Bangkok, where supermarkets have been running low on -- and sometimes rationing -- essential items such as bottled water and eggs as residents stock up.

The stock market and banks, however, were still open for business as normal.

Much of the country has already been ravaged by the three-month flood crisis caused by unusually heavy monsoon rains, which has left more than 370 people dead and millions of homes and livelihoods damaged.

A huge runoff from the north equivalent to 480,000 Olympic swimming pools is expected to reach the capital at the same time as seasonal high tides this weekend, the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

Districts north of the centre have already been inundated, shutting down the city's second biggest airport, Don Mueang, which is currently serving as the headquarters of the country's Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC).

Early on Thursday a power transformer exploded to cause a black-out, but Yingluck told reporters at the airport that the FROC would not be relocated.

She admitted the situation in the capital was critical, with the government preparing extra shelters for Bangkok evacuees.

The FROC on Wednesday evening urged Bangkok residents in flood-prone areas to leave the city, saying food and deliveries were expected to become more difficult.

The crisis is taking its toll on the lucrative Thai tourism industry, with some countries, such as Britain, advising against all but essential travel to Bangkok and other flood-hit regions.

Thousands of inundated factories have also been shut down, putting more than half a million people temporarily out of work and disrupting global supply chains.

Japan's Toyota Motor -- which has already idled plants in the kingdom -- on Thursday called off weekend production at four North American factories as the impact of the floods prompted supply shortage fears.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-10-27

[alexakap]

"Bangkok is 100% safe" - said PM earlier

"We are to guarantee that Don Mueang is well protected" - she also said

And even "Defence Minister confident Grand Palace will be spared from flood"

And "This will not affect to tourism!!" - said TAT chief just a week ago...

Shit. All of their speaches. All of them themselves.

Edited October 27, 2011 by alexakap

[hehehoho]

I though all 50 districts were to be flooded last night.

Dry as a bone all around here.

[OZEMADE]

Why did the Thai people leave it to the last minute to evacuate, they knew this was coming as they were told a few days ago that Bangkok was going to be flooded. Forget all the hype about what the politicians said in the past, blind freddie would have know about the volume of water coming down from the news about Chang Mai, Chang Rai Ayutthai etc.

The real problem now is how are they going to get 14 to 16 million people out of the city. There could be 1 or 2 million more people, as they were heading to Bangkok to flee the water which flooded their cities.

[montereyjp]

Curious, any comments on the number of people still in the city? What is like around the soi Nana area? Traffic situation?

[Arkady]

I though all 50 districts were to be flooded last night.

Dry as a bone all around here.

The governor later claimed that what he had meant to say was that all 50 district offices should be prepared for floods.

[Logarhythm]

"Traffic congestion to Pattaya in (southeastern) Chonburi province began on Wednesday evening," Major General Norraboon Nanna, commander of the highway police, told AFP by telephone.

Does anyone know if there is any likelihood of Pattaya and Bangkok being cut off from one another?

[KKvampire]

Curious, any comments on the number of people still in the city? What is like around the soi Nana area? Traffic situation?

Im sure if you need some relief at Nana there are the usual "For sale"

[EyesWideOpen]

Pattaya is now chock full of Fortuner SUVs with Bangkok license plates. Seems a bit unfair that the rich people are enjoying a week at the beach, while the poor people left behind are swimming in turds. Oh well, guess that is the way it has always been...

[MaxYakov]

Curious, any comments on the number of people still in the city? What is like around the soi Nana area? Traffic situation?

Can't speak to Bangkok's current headcount, but Nana is dry (but don't count on its staying that way) with normal crazy taxis/motorbikes. The three 7/11s are rotating their stock at record speed and not exactly keeping up.

[alexakap]

Bangkok's residents flee Thai floods

Frankly speakin' Thais are very, VERY easy to give up under any stress.

Like a kids.

See the water the scary reports about water - and just run as a chickens...Geeez.....But HEY, WHO WILL PROTECT THEIR CITY???

On my moobaan now just 50 ppl instead of overall 1500 in normal days.

Yes, it is flooded for a week now.

A few days ago someone still operated at the pumps.

Today morning - no one. Everyone flied, leaved their belongings\houses\cars. Everything is ready to be "picked", and noone in sight - just a water.

The funny thing is that my moobaan is 2-storey (noone building is 1-storey...oh, ok, just guard's tower at the entrance), and water just 1m or something. And it is far from the river.

The scary thing is noone left to operate the pumps. Perhaps I'll go and start'eem....

Why Thais so easy to give up??

[nullx8]

Does anyone know if there is any likelihood of Pattaya and Bangkok being cut off from one another?

if the plan works ... absolutly.

because all the east routed water will have to cross the motorway (7) and shukumvit (3) somehow to get to the sea ...

and since thay "divert" a majory of the water this will happen on a much later time for sure.

this also very likely to include the pride of thailand to get a swamp again (well everyone denies this and mark the airport (even its geographically right in the middle of the flood zone) as a safe place)

(all of this above is just my personal opinion)

[Logarhythm]

Does anyone know if there is any likelihood of Pattaya and Bangkok being cut off from one another?

if the plan works ... absolutly.

because all the east routed water will have to cross the motorway (7) and shukumvit (3) somehow to get to the sea ...

and since thay "divert" a majory of the water this will happen on a much later time for sure.

(all of this above is just my personal opinion)

What do you think a much later time will be?

[Woody1]

Does anyone know if there is any likelihood of Pattaya and Bangkok being cut off from one another?

if the plan works ... absolutly.

because all the east routed water will have to cross the motorway (7) and shukumvit (3) somehow to get to the sea ...

and since thay "divert" a majory of the water this will happen on a much later time for sure.

this also very likely to include the pride of thailand to get a swamp again (well everyone denies this and mark the airport (even its geographically right in the middle of the flood zone) as a safe place)

(all of this above is just my personal opinion)

Have you forgotten about the elevated expressway (9)??

[Xonax]

Curious, any comments on the number of people still in the city? What is like around the soi Nana area? Traffic situation?

Heavy congestion on the sidewalk of Soi Nana in direction to Sukthumvit Road, as all hookers and pimps are now going back to Isaan for a few weeks.

I would like to escape from the city before it is too late, but the wife is still required to go to work in the office every day. But now it´s already too late, as all affordable rooms and apartments in Pattaya and Hua-Hin are long gone. They don´t even care to answer your request.

[nullx8]

Have you forgotten about the elevated expressway (9)??

highway 9 is not elevated (exept of a few flyover bridges), i guess you mean the Bang-Na Trad (34) ..

yes you right i did forget it ... it goes until Bang Kao ... (which is about about 3km (just a guess) before the Bang Pakong River exit into the sea.

so the chance are good the few km from the end of the Elevated expressway to the Chonburi bypass are somehow protected from beeing flood.

after the bypass is nothing much to worry anymore since the elevation of the land is already much higer than before (i watched my GPS last time drove there, there is just a slight spot where its deep .. but its behind the lines already (hopefully))

[landofthefree]

<br />Curious, any comments on the number of people still in the city? What is like around the soi Nana area? Traffic situation?<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Most people including myself are still in Bangkok. Why? because most of Bangkok has NO flooding. Thais are being made to panic by missleading mass media reporting in the Thai media. We have been promised flooding now for several days but apart from the outskirts in the North and east Bangkok is still dry and I will predict will remain so.

[OZEMADE]

<br />Curious, any comments on the number of people still in the city? What is like around the soi Nana area? Traffic situation?<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Most people including myself are still in Bangkok. Why? because most of Bangkok has NO flooding. Thais are being made to panic by missleading mass media reporting in the Thai media. We have been promised flooding now for several days but apart from the outskirts in the North and east Bangkok is still dry and I will predict will remain so.

Famous last words, Glug Glug Glug SWishhhh

[alexakap]

Heavy congestion on the sidewalk of Soi Nana in direction to Sukthumvit Road, as all hookers and pimps are now going back to Isaan for a few weeks.

Which route they'll be able to reach Isaan?? Gimme a break, upper Viphavadee (starting Laksi\DonMuang and up) is completely under water. Boats are there, but not cars/trains/buses.

And this is the main way to the North.

If they want to go Isaan now - they must have a huge hook (go to Chantaburi or even Trat, and then go up North). That will be a huge voyage and huge expenses.

[apyale]

"Traffic congestion to Pattaya in (southeastern) Chonburi province began on Wednesday evening," Major General Norraboon Nanna, commander of the highway police, told AFP by telephone.

Does anyone know if there is any likelihood of Pattaya and Bangkok being cut off from one another?

I just arrived in Pattaya from Bangkok today at 14h00 and the traffic was not horrendous, only a nice drive under the sun at 130 kl/h, good for the carburator. No rain or flooding whatsoever.

[OzMick]

AA offering cheap flights out of BKK - pay before 31/10, fly after. Those interested in a Samui break should note 1/5th the price to Surat compared to direct.

[DP25]

Curious, any comments on the number of people still in the city? What is like around the soi Nana area? Traffic situation?

Overall the number of people seems to be falling rapidly, lot of people fleeing the city. Not sure about Nana but was in Silom last night and while there were some people drinking and shopping it was far less than normal.

[thaibeachlovers]

Why did the Thai people leave it to the last minute to evacuate, they knew this was coming as they were told a few days ago that Bangkok was going to be flooded. Forget all the hype about what the politicians said in the past, blind freddie would have know about the volume of water coming down from the news about Chang Mai, Chang Rai Ayutthai etc.

The real problem now is how are they going to get 14 to 16 million people out of the city. There could be 1 or 2 million more people, as they were heading to Bangkok to flee the water which flooded their cities.

According to my wife, they won't leave before they are forced to because they are afraid someone will steal everything.

It's also possible that they believed the official statements saying Bkk will be safe!

[david555]

Pattaya is now chock full of Fortuner SUVs with Bangkok license plates. Seems a bit unfair that the rich people are enjoying a week at the beach, while the poor people left behind are swimming in turds. Oh well, guess that is the way it has always been...

TESCO LOTUS Pattaya South this morning early ( 8 clock ) rice bags being newly stocked , as i saw already some people with a shopping car full (Approx 10) of them taking , few eggs , meat sufficient , vegetables good as empty , full milk not present, water not see, many empty shelfs , toilet paper and tissue not present ,coconut milk in packs empty shelf, salt not to find (found supermarket View Talay 1 ( seems fully stocked goods for farang )

And on top of this they find it needed to reorganize their shop on this moment , so you can look for ever around to find your needs

this shall be the coming problem to come ...........

[w11guy]

I'm still here in Silom and staying. I don't think the flooding here will be as bad as people think, but that's just an educated guess. I think the press are trying to frighten people instead of reporting facts. We've been told for over a week that the situation is critical but it's still dry for miles around. Even if it floods it will subside. May be a little inconvenient for a while, but it's not the end of the world like some people seem to think. Plenty of fresh food in supermarkets here, although other stock is very low. But I got everything I needed today and even bought bottled water on the way home. If people shopped normally instead of stocking up then things would be ok. It seems people bought all the canned food, toothbrushes, etc and then left town. Can't see the point. Just calm down and sit it out.

[landofthefree]

<br />

<br />

<br />Curious, any comments on the number of people still in the city? What is like around the soi Nana area? Traffic situation?<br />

<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Most people including myself are still in Bangkok. Why? because most of Bangkok has NO flooding. Thais are being made to panic by missleading mass media reporting in the Thai media. We have been promised flooding now for several days but apart from the outskirts in the North and east Bangkok is still dry and I will predict will remain so.<br />

<br />Famous last words, <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Glug Glug Glug SWishhhh <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/hit-the-fan.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

I have read in the paper today that the most dangerous time for Bangkok to flood will be on Saturday at 6pm, I plan to go to the Chao Praya river to watch this ficticious event and will return home and write to you again when I am proved right. I had a very similar response from Thai Visa members who were adamant that Mr Abhisit would win the last election I hope that you will have the courage to appologize to me when I am proved to be right.

[w11guy]

Why did the Thai people leave it to the last minute to evacuate, they knew this was coming as they were told a few days ago that Bangkok was going to be flooded. Forget all the hype about what the politicians said in the past, blind freddie would have know about the volume of water coming down from the news about Chang Mai, Chang Rai Ayutthai etc.

The real problem now is how are they going to get 14 to 16 million people out of the city. There could be 1 or 2 million more people, as they were heading to Bangkok to flee the water which flooded their cities.

Many had to work and couldn't just up and leave. The city only has 8-10 million people and most will stay, so no need for a mass evacuation. In any case, where are 10 million people supposed to go? A bit quieter than usual in Silom today but still plenty of people around and things seem quite normal, apart from all the sandbag walls. Don't watch the news and everything will seem normal.

You worry too much.

Edited October 27, 2011 by w11guy

[DP25]

I have read in the paper today that the most dangerous time for Bangkok to flood will be on Saturday at 6pm, I plan to go to the Chao Praya river to watch this ficticious event and will return home and write to you again when I am proved right.

No need to wait, you can go watch the Chao Praya overflowing its banks right now

[SantiSuk]

Heavy congestion on the sidewalk of Soi Nana in direction to Sukthumvit Road, as all hookers and pimps are now going back to Isaan for a few weeks.

Which route they'll be able to reach Isaan?? Gimme a break, upper Viphavadee (starting Laksi\DonMuang and up) is completely under water. Boats are there, but not cars/trains/buses.

And this is the main way to the North.

If they want to go Isaan now - they must have a huge hook (go to Chantaburi or even Trat, and then go up North). That will be a huge voyage and huge expenses.

As long as they can get out of Bangkok on either the Chonburi-Bangkok or Bangna Trad Highways and make it to around Chachongsao they will be able to reach one of the four routes into Issaan from Prachinburi or Sa Kaeo provinces. No need to go down as far as Chantaburi or as far east as that Chantaburi-Buriram route (although the northern half of that route remains a sensible choice for anyone going to points east of Buriram).

I'm sure the bar girls and freelancers are capable of blagging a ride somehow to just about anywhere. I'll bet many of them have at least 4 foreign-based boyfriends wiring them the taxi fare home as we speak.

[palm]

<br />

<br />

<br />Curious, any comments on the number of people still in the city? What is like around the soi Nana area? Traffic situation?<br />

<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Most people including myself are still in Bangkok. Why? because most of Bangkok has NO flooding. Thais are being made to panic by missleading mass media reporting in the Thai media. We have been promised flooding now for several days but apart from the outskirts in the North and east Bangkok is still dry and I will predict will remain so.<br />

<br />Famous last words, <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Glug Glug Glug SWishhhh <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/hit-the-fan.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

I have read in the paper today that the most dangerous time for Bangkok to flood will be on Saturday at 6pm, I plan to go to the Chao Praya river to watch this ficticious event and will return home and write to you again when I am proved right. I had a very similar response from Thai Visa members who were adamant that Mr Abhisit would win the last election I hope that you will have the courage to appologize to me when I am proved to be right.

You are right. I live 50m from the river on the east side near Rama 5 and the flood water is no worse than last year. The main Phiboon Songkhram Road which is 150m from the river is dry.

90% of central and downtown Bangkok remains 100% dry, and according to the Thais I know who have lived here 40 years, don't expect 90% of Bangkok to get anymore than 20cm maximum of temporary floodwater.

Look at the big Google map TV members have been updating - its all GREEN dry markers in central and downtown.