Tourists beware: weather warning for large parts of Thailand!

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today and the next three days.

The monsoon now active in the north and northeast of Thailand will move to the central part of Thailand in the coming days. There is also a monsoon active in southwest Thailand over the Andaman Sea, southern Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. Heavy rain and storms are reported.

Very heavy rainfall is expected in the northeast and east in the coming days. Residents in the provinces must be prepared for flooding due to rising water in rivers and canals. Risk areas include Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Nayok, Ubon Ratchathani, Prachin Buri, Chanthaburi and Trat. There are a number of major tourist attractions in these provinces. Tourists should be extra careful, especially when visiting National Parks in these areas.

There is currently serious flooding in 12 provinces. There are 72 dead, 3.681.912 rai agricultural land has been destroyed. In the provinces, 142.101 households and 2.455 are affected by flooding. The affected provinces are: Sukhothai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Chai Nat, Ubon Ratchathani, Sing Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Suphan Buri, and Nonthaburi.

The roads to the popular historical sites in Ayutthaya are still passable, but the situation could quickly deteriorate when the Chao Phraya River bursts its banks. Emergency measures have been taken to prevent damage to historical sites and temples.

Tourists are advised to exercise extreme caution when visiting the National Parks. Waterfalls and caves in particular can be affected by flashfloods. It is not safe to swim in the sea on the coast of the Andaman Sea and especially at the beaches on the west coast of Phuket Island.

More information: www.tmd.go.th/en/