UPDATE 17th October: This maybe a bit premature, but the headline in Bangkok Post this morning is: Bangkok declared safe; Water runoff from North flows past city
This weekend is supposed to be when Bangkok becomes Underwater World. That is according to the media who, with their blanket coverage, has caused people to panic. Yes, there has been some devasting flooding in Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan and now Pathum Thani. But that doesn’t mean that Central Bangkok will be flooded in the same way. Sure, there will be some flooding. It is the height of the rainy season after all. But it won’t be widespread. It won’t be deep. And it certainly won’t be long-lasting.
Instead of relying on the media, I decided to head into Bangkok today with my bicycle to check it out for myself. Today marks day one of the so-called danger period for Bangkok. It is when the run-off from the north meets the King High Tide from the South. As you can see from the map above, I cycled a distance of 35 kms. Not once did I see any flooding. Even by the river. Certainly the river was high, but most of the canals that I rode over looked only half full.
For the majority of my ride I had a sunny blue sky. It was quite hot at times. Towards the end it started to get more cloudy which was nice as it cooled it down for me. When I got back to my car it started to rain but the storm only lasted less than half an hour. That is what it is like in the rainy season in Bangkok. It won’t rain all day. So, if you are visiting tourist attractions and it starts to rain, just wait it out. These first two pictures were taken at Wai Traimit in Chinatown.
The next two pictures are of Benjakiti Park and Lumphini Park. Lots of people out and about here enjoying the weather while it lasts. Both of these parks allow cyclists and so I gave both of them a quick tour. Some of the areas I went through today included Silom, Sathorn, Charoen Krung and Sanam Luang. I hardly saw any sandbagging, certainly no more than normal. There was no-one panicking. In fact, everyone was just getting on with their normal lives.
The majority of the tourist attractions in Central Bangkok are open as normal. I passed the Reclining Buddha and the Grand Palace. Lots of foreign tourists there as normal. Also, all of the big shopping malls are open as normal. For example MBK, Panthip, Paragon, Central World etc. Chatuchak Weekend Market is also open as normal. Of course, it may look like it is going to be alright, but there is still the risk that there will be some flooding. If you decide not to cancel or postpone your holiday, you need to be flexible and be prepared to get your feet wet.
There is no guarantees in life. In this case we are relying on not having too much rain from Mother Nature and we also hope the flood gates in the North of the city will hold. If they do then Bangkok City itself will escape the worst of it. Both the Prime Minister and the Bangkok Governor seem confident that they have done everything they can to keep the city safe. I personally have confidence in that they are right. My gut feeling is that we won’t have any deep floods in Central Bangkok this year.
At one point I crossed over the river. The water was high but again that is normal for this time of year. I noted that all boats were operating on the river as usual. This included cross-river boats, express boats and long-tailed tour boats. Many of the piers are safe during high tide while others, like this walkway, will be underwater for about an hour or so during high tide. The boat service on Saen Saeb Canal has been suspended at times but I think they are back to normal now. The dinner cruises in the evening are also operating normally.
At the end of the day, you need to make your own mind up about whether you come to Bangkok or not. I cannot tell you which areas will be 100% safe. They are all risky areas as the whole of Bangkok is practically below sea level. Personally, if I had the time, I wouldn’t hesitate about having a holiday in Bangkok this week. At the moment I am busy doing these websites and updates, but I think next week, when it calms down, I will take a holiday. Maybe Amphawa Floating Market. There are many places near Bangkok that are not affected.
Hello Richard,
Normally how long does the monsoon last in Thailand? Do you think based on the current situation, will the flood be able to drain off? I will be coming over with my 2 old parents. Do you think it is advisable?
Normally in October the storms should be tailing off though we still get floods because of the run-off from up North. By November and certainly by December it is dry in Bangkok.
Hi Richard ,
How is today wheather?? getting better??
thanks for the wonderful pictures and information you posted. I’ll be travelling to Bangkok with my husband and kids on 1st of November i know that you have been asked million times this question but i need to know if next month you think it will get better. thank you again
We are really hoping it will get better but it all depends on what happens next week at the higher than normal high tide. They are trying to pump the water through the city canals now but obviously with the extra high tide that will be difficult. So far not much rain which will certainly help a lot next week. Let’s hope the rain stays away.
G. M Richard,
Please be in touch with us regarding weather durable and thanking you your brilliant.
It is has been mainly hot and sunny the last 4 days with some isolated showers.
Hi Richard, thanks for your rich updates.
I am planning to visit Bangkok, Phuket,Pattaya & Kuh Samuei on the 21st of November for a 3 weeks holiday.What would be the situation by that time..
We are hoping Bangkok would have stabilized by that time. The other places you mentioned are not affected by this big flood.
Thanks to you richard ,
and we are planning to visit BKK at 4th of NOV, we hope every thing good .
I will be visiting Bangkok on November 3. Do you recommend that I change the face of travel
As always, I advise you to cancel or postpone your trip to Bangkok as we just don’t know for sure. At this moment in time there are no floods in inner Bangkok (beyond the normal) but there is a danger period between 27-31 October. If there are no significant floods during that time then it should be alright in November.
Thank you for the reply.
I can not cancel my trip.
I will rappel at the airport in Bangkok and will go directly to Phuket.
Is there a risk at the airport in Bangkok, Phuket or not.
At this moment in time there is no problem at Suvarnabhumi Airport. No floods in that immediate area. No problem in Phuket too.
Will be visiting Phuket on Oct. 29 Is there any flooding where
Regards
Perfectly alright in Phuket.
Hi Richard,
I heard one of the airport had close due to this flood, is it real?
I’ll come BKK on this Friday. Yet, I keep receive rumors & news that there already flood in the BKK town area. Is that real?
I’ll come with my parents and they allready not young. So I still think want to cancel the trip or proceed.
Your update will help alots. Thx
That is not correct. The last I heard from Nok Air is that they were still flying from Don Muang Airport. However, they did say that due to floods in the area you need to arrive much earlier than normal. There is an elevated tollway in front of the airport that goes straight down to the departure lounge. I will tweet again in the morning once they confirm they are still open. As for your second question, again it is not true that inner Bangkok is flooded. At the moment it has reached the Don Muang area and if it continues it could reach Chatuchak in a couple of days. It is going slowly and they are working hard to block it. This is the upper northern district of Bangkok.
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your great effort of this.
I was traveled to Bangkok on 20 to 23 Oct ( reach back my home country safe yesterday).
I was stay in Pratunam Market area and luckily there is no flood.
Was travel to China Town on day 1 and found the river water level is quite high but there is no flood at that area. During 1st night there is a light rain shower but stop within an hour.
Day2 was all day shine and was travel to chaktuchak market.
Everything seem normal during my trip.
A Million thanks for your great update to made my trip successful.
Appreciate your great effort on this.
I would recommend to all traveler to bangkok during this period to take airport railway if u has face any flood situation during ur way to airport,because the railway is located 2-3 floor higher and can reach airport within half an hour.
Best Regard,
Hello
Brother Richard
I want to inquire about the movement from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya Can we move the present time is there to prevent flooding we’ve come to Pattaya and we passengers on 29/10/2011 Is there a risk of closure of Bangkok’s international airport in the case of the return from Pattaya on 09/11/2011 News says arrived Alvedhanat close to Bangkok during the next two days
At this moment in time, there is no problem in travelling between the airport and Pattaya. I cannot say for sure next week.
Thank you and we await news from you firsthand
Hi Richard,
I think i’ll wait for the next week .
dear richard
I will arrive with my family on the 4 november and be staying in skuhumvit. We hope to make a trip to ampawa floating market.
and hope the situation will improve by next week. Would like to know are there any chances that the road to ampawa floating market be flooded? And what about siam city park? (Ancient siam)?
Ancient Siam is not flooded and the road there from the city is dry. It is way I live. Amphawa is open and road presently not flooded. No guarantees for next week of course.
Hi I would like to know about flooding in Bangna area as I plan to
buy a condo in that area.
Thanks in advance for any info
No major flooding yet but some areas do flood for a while after storms. You need to check it out for yourself now.
The exact location of the condo that I wish to buy is Parkland Condo Sri Nakirin
Srinakarin often floods.
Hi there i am visiting Thailand from SA leaving for Phuket staying at the Amari Coral beach resort from the 7th November and then leaving Phuket for Bangkok staying at the Amari Westgate hotel on the 13th November to the 17th. Is this safe or should we cancel for a later date. I really want to go out a lot and take photos and see most of the sites and I love swimming in the sea but hate having to be wet if not swimming. Please advise if we should rather change our stay for later as I see on the news so many people have died and others are really struggling in the floods.
Tragically many people have died, but what they don’t tell you is that they started counting back in July. It is not advisable to visit any flooded area because of the stagnant water so keep up-to-date with the news. Your Bangkok hotel is a good one and they are really looking after their guests. This weekend is going well so far for inner Bangkok and so I am hopeful that you will be alright.
Hi Richard… thank you for all this help. Your advice has been so valuable. A friend and I are travelling to Chiang Mai tomorrow/wednesday from the UK. I take it this is all ok now? Chiang Rai and Sukhothai also ok?
No problem with Sukhothai, Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. There is even a train now heading north but with limited services.
HI RICHARD … THERS ANY PROBLEM at Suvarnabhumi Airport. No floods ? AND WHAT ABOUTE THE WAY TO PHATTAYA road my trip at 11/11/2011
No floods at the airport at all. I drove around the perimeter and inside the airport last night.
Hey richard ill be going to bangkok early december. Mostly to city areas including petchburi road, siam etc. Do u think it will be sunny by then and no floods at that time?
It was sunny for the last few weeks apart from a passing storm today. that area is dry now but no-one really knows for sure what will happen in the next few weeks.
Hi Richard, it’s great to know that someone on the ground is advising on the flood situation in bangkok. Your feedback is invaluable to us. I’m planning to visit bkk on 28th dec to 2nd january and would appreciate your opinion on the flood situation then basing on your current assesment. I’ll be staying at KC Place hotel located at Ratchaparop and can be reached by airport train. I’m also concern about water borne diseases, hygene of food & I am undecided if i should postpone or cancell my trip,please advise.Thank you.
If nothing serious happens to inner Bangkok in the next two weeks then you will be perfectly alright at the end of December.