Weather warning for large parts of Thailand

Thailand's Meteorological Service (TMD) has issued a severe storm warning today stir, storm and high waves in parts of Thailand.

A high-pressure area originating in China is moving through northern Thailand to the Central and Northeastern part of the country. A monsoon is also active in the southwestern part of Thailand, which causes a lot of inconvenience in the area above the Andaman Sea, southern Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.

Period 20 to 23 September

In the period from 20 to 23 September, there may be heavy isolated showers with the necessary flooding. Everyone near rivers and canals should be prepared for possible flooding. This concerns the areas:

• Phetchabun
• Lop buri
• Saraburi
• Chaiyaphum
• Loei
• Nong Bua Lam Phu
• Udon Thani
• Nong Khai
• Bueng Kan
• Sakon Nakhon
• Nakhon Phanom
• Si Saket
• Ubon Ratchathani
• Chanthaburi
• Trat
• Ranong
• Phang Nga
• Page
• Satun

High waves

Due to the strong wind, waves of 2 to 3 meters high are expected in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. All ships should exercise caution, small boats should not go out to sea.

Two foreigners were rescued by the Royal Thai Navy near Phuket yesterday after their yacht capsized in heavy seas. They were taken to Satun by a Thai naval vessel.

Heavy flooding

Meanwhile, Thai authorities reported that 55 provinces across the country are experiencing severe flooding from tropical storm Nock-Ten that hit Thailand on July 25. As a result, the water in the Chao Phraya River that flows towards Bangkok has also risen to only 20 centimeters below the edge of the storm surge barriers.

Severe flooding has killed 26 people in 112 provinces. The provinces flooded are: Sukhothai, Phichit Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Loei, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Si Sa Ket, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Tak, Sa Kaeo and Prachin Buri.

In addition, the Royal Irrigation Department residents of areas along the Chao Phraya River warned of possible flooding.

Tourism and flooding

A number of popular tourist destinations, such as Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-In, are threatened by the water. Some villages and temples, close to the river, are already under water.

So far, all excursions to tourist attractions are still going ahead. Due to the high water level in the Chao Phraya River, it is expected that a number of boat trips will not be able to take place this coming weekend. A number of bridges will also be inaccessible to tourists.

The roads to the popular historical sites in Ayutthaya province are passable. The storm surge barriers in Ayutthaya are holding up, although the water level has risen by 1,5 meters. All historical sites and temples in the province are open to tourists Ayutthaya Floating Market and the roads leading there are under water.

Visitors are advised to exercise extreme caution when visiting national parks, waterfalls or caves due to possible flashfloods. It is currently not safe to swim at the beach resorts on the Andaman coast and the west coast of Phuket Island.