LATEST UPDATES - FLOODING IN THAILAND

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LATEST UPDATES
 FLOODING IN THAILAND

Issued at Bangkok at 14:30 (GMT+7) on 12 November 2011 
   
  The flooding situation in Thailand is mainly affecting a few provinces along the Chao Phraya River just north of, and including, Bangkok.

Visitors to Thailand will find most of the country was 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    Samut Songkhram
 Phetchaburi (Cha Am)    Sa Kaeo
 Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin)    Trat (Ko Chang)

The flooding has subsided in central provinces including Ang Thong and Chai Nat and cleanup operations are underway. Flood waters have also subsided in most areas of the island of Ayutthaya. Tourist attractions in Ayutthaya including the World Heritage Site will reopen once they have been restored.

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, still remains open. If this route is closed due to flooding, the Transport Ministry has prepared alternate routes between Bangkok and provinces in southern Thailand. They will ensure continued access to destinations such as Hua Hin, Cha-Am and Chumphon, as well as places in the western area of the central provinces such as Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi.

Situation in Bangkok
Areas 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 remain 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) 

Given the changing nature of the flooding situation in Bangkok, visitors should check multiple sources of information to make an informed decision about whether they should visit central Bangkok at the present time.

The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are operating normally. Some MRT stations have closed certain entrances as a precaution. Visitors are advised to check with the BTS and MRT regarding the current status of their operations. Taxis and tuk tuks are available although the number in service is reduced. Many BMTA bus routes have been 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. It has considerable flood protection measures in place. 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 have not been affected by the floods and are operating normally. Highways from the airport to tourist destinations southeast of Bangkok such as Pattaya, Rayong and Ko Chang are open.

Don Mueang Airport, the old international airport, still remains closed due to flooding. The two domestic airlines based at Don Mueang continue operating from Suvarnabhumi Airport.

A “Tourist Assistance Center” on the 3rd floor of Airport Rail Link’s Makkasan Station is facilitating tourists’ transport from hotels in central Bangkok to the airport. Tourists who would like to use this service can contact the Tourist Assistance Center via the TAT Call Center at 1672, or the Tourist Police at 1155.

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 are adjusting their routes to best serve passengers given the disruptions caused by the flooding. 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 northeastern Thailand are operating as per normal. Train services to the northern provinces are operating between Hua Lamphong Station in central Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Trains to the north are being rerouted around flooded areas, adding approximately two hours of travel time. 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.

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
State Railway of Thailand: http://www.railway.co.th/home/Default.asp

English-language newspapers offering continuous updates on the flooding situation:
Bangkok Post: http://www.bangkokpost.com
The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com

Useful Contact Numbers: TAT Call Centre: 1672 (8:00 – 20:00 hrs, everyday)
Tourist Assistance Center:  +66 (0) 2283-1500 and
(0) 2356 0655
Tourist Police: 1155 
Suvarnabhumi Airport Call Center:  +66 (0) 2132 1888
Thai Airways:  +66 (0) 2356 1111
Bangkok Airways:  +66 (0) 2265 8777
AirAsia:  +66 (0) 2515 9999 
Nok Air:  1318 or +66 (0) 2900 9955
Orient Thai Airlines:  1126
Airport Rail Link Call Center:  1690
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Call Centre:  1690
Transport Co.,Ltd. Hotline:
(Inter-provincial bus service) 1490
BTS Call Center
 +66 (0) 2617 6000 
MRT Call Center  +66 (0) 2624 5200

TAT’s official Web site for flooding information: www.thailandtourismupdate.com