Crocodiles take off
Hundreds of crocodiles escaped from a flooded farm in Uthai Thani province on Sunday. That's the bad news. The good news is that captive-bred crocodiles don't like human flesh. Most crocodiles are young and shorter than a meter. They prefer to live in stagnant water and avoid water currents. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will work with the Fishery Department to try to capture the animals. …
Thailand's worst floods in decades (video)
Thailand is hit hard by the worst floods in 50 years.
Travel advice Thailand due to flooding
Thailand travel advice, updated on October 11, 2011, from the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok.
Flooding in Thailand – message from the Dutch embassy
In this article the text of an email sent today by the Dutch embassy in Bangkok. The editors of Thailandblog have posted this message in full.
TAT: Tourists need not worry
The Tourism Authority of Thailand reiterates today that there are no barriers for tourists in Thailand or who want to travel to Thailand. Although the situation in Central, North and Northeast Thailand is serious, there are no problems for tourists. In the south of Thailand (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui and Koh Chang) nothing is wrong and tourists can enjoy a well-deserved holiday. Virtually all major tourist destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang…
Thailand is considering evacuation of residents from ten provinces
Residents in ten Central Plains provinces, including the hard-hit province of Ayutthaya, must prepare for evacuation. The authorities in those provinces decide when necessary. The city island of Ayutthaya was hit hard on Sunday because the water broke through the flood walls in several places. The ten provinces are Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Chai Nat, Chachoengsao, Lop Buri, Nakhon Sawan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Sing Buri and Uthai Thani. Ayutthaya Provincial Hospital,…
Bangkok governor swallows his words about flooding
Bangkok Governor Sukhumband Paribatra has backtracked on his promise that the capital would escape major flooding. "I never promised the city wouldn't flood," he says. 'Flooding could happen anytime but the important thing is preventive measures and how to drain the water.' Breaking news: Authorities have been ordered to set up 80 evacuation centers in nine eastern districts of the city. They can house 8.000 to…
Floods do not affect tourism
The widespread flooding in many Thai provinces has not affected the tourism industry. The Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Minister Chumpol Slipa-Archa, informed the Bangkok Post today. Mr. Chumpol stressed that the current situation has been discussed extensively with tour operators. The travel industry, in turn, says that the numbers of foreign tourists are not affected by the disturbing reports. As an example, the Japanese tourists are mentioned, the visit of the Japanese to …
Belgian ambassador warns compatriots about flooding
The Belgian embassy in Thailand has warned all compatriots by e-mail about the current floods and what may come. The editors of Thailandblog have taken over the message in full.
Bangkok prepares for floodwaters (video)
Bangkok is preparing to protect the Thai capital against flooding. Thousands of people in Thailand have fled their homes as floods threaten to engulf entire towns and cities. More than 260 people have been killed by the heavy monsoon rains of the past two months. Authorities are working around the clock to stop the water coming towards the capital. In the areas around the capital of Thailand, sand traps and flood walls have been placed. The army is…
Thai industry asks for support
Deferred payment for electricity and water, tax measures, such as a deduction for repair of machinery, and low-interest loans. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is asking for these three support measures for the companies affected by the water. Minister Wannarat Channukul (Industry) has already made a suggestion: scrapping the duties on the import of machinery by the Board of Investment. He also says that the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank will receive an amount of 2 billion baht …
Flood damage in Thailand could reach 90 billion baht
It is crisis in Thailand. The floods in large parts of the country continue and the capital Bangkok is also experiencing flooding. The death toll has already risen above 270 and this number is being revised upwards daily. Shortage of sandbags Yesterday the Bankokians started hoarding rice, water and noodles. Today, people are also preparing for what may come. In this way, for…
Bangkok, concerns about a flood are increasing
The residents of Bangkok start hoarding food and park their cars on safe ground. Heavy rainfall Saturday night flooded parts of the city. Concerns are increasing, especially since Prime Minister Yingluck admitted in her TV speech on Friday that the government is 'almost at its wits' end. The situation in the capital becomes critical between October 16 and October 18, when the tide is high, large amounts of water arrive from the North and heavy rains fall, …
Quay collapses: factories are flooded
Five factories in the Rojana industrial estate (Ayutthaya) were flooded late Saturday afternoon after an improvised quay of the Khao Mao canal collapsed. Pumps from neighboring provinces are brought in to pump out the water. The damage could amount to 18 billion baht if the situation cannot be controlled. There are approximately 200 factories on the site. The city island in Ayutthaya, which is bounded by the rivers Chao Praya, …
Floods 2011 in Thailand: the balance so far
The floods now sweeping large parts of Thailand are the worst in recent years. The damage is enormous, thousands of people have fled the rising water. The end is not yet in sight due to a low pressure area with persistent rain. The balance so far: 30 provinces in the entire country with the exception of the south have been affected. 2,34 million people and more than 760.000 homes have been affected by the…
Thailand floods mapped
The editors of Thailandblog receive many questions about the floods in Thailand. Unfortunately we cannot respond to every individual question, that takes too much time. Please understand this. There appears to be a need for maps showing the flooded areas. These are of course available, some in Thai and others in English. I've just listed them. The editors cannot guarantee that the information shown is correct and up to date.
Bangkok is ready: bring on the water
Although flooding is wreaking havoc in 30 provinces, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra thinks the misery in the capital will be limited. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is well prepared for possible flooding of the city. How does Bangkok cope with the water? A 75,8 kilometer long tidal wall along the banks of the Chao Praya. A small piece of 1,2 km has not yet been constructed. 6.404 kilometers of sewerage, of which 3.780 km have been cleaned. 1.682 channels with a…