URGENT UPDATE 6th October: The situation in Ayutthaya is getting worse. There is now flooding in the city and very bad traffic on the main highway. Although some tourist attractions might be still open, the situation could change very quickly. I’m going to try and go up there on Friday to see for myself. The roads might be a bad idea so I was thinking about the train. But, I am now hearing some sections of the Ayutthaya line are flooded and the train may or may not be running. I cannot get through to the 1690 hotline. The problem at the moment is that if I can get there tomorrow there is no guarantee I can get back.
5th October: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has issued the following situation update about the flooding in Ayutthaya Province:
The province of Ayutthaya is experiencing floods due to seasonal rains that are heavier than usual. While the flooding is widespread in Ayutthaya’s low-lying agricultural and industrial areas, as well as many areas adjacent to major waterways, there is limited impact on tourism in the province. Most tourist attractions in Ayutthaya are not affected by the floods. Tourists continue to travel to Ayutthaya. The occupancy rate for accommodations in the province remains high, with visitors from many nations including China, Belgium, India, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines.
Almost all tourist attractions on the island of Ayutthaya are protected from the flooding by barriers that the government and the Fine Arts Department have put in place. Visitors can enjoy sightseeing and activities on the island of Ayutthaya as per normal, including elephant rides, cycling, and taking tourist trams around the ancient city. On the island of Ayutthaya, only Wat Chai Wattanaram and Hua Ro Market have been affected by the floods as they are adjacent to major waterways. Both locations are closed until the flood water subsides. Outside of the island of Ayutthaya, several tourist attractions have been temporarily closed due to the floods. Boat services around the island of Ayutthaya have also been temporarily suspended due to the high water levels.
The Asian Highway Network and most major roads to Ayutthaya are not affected by the floods. The government has placed flood barriers along low-lying sections of roads. Tourists can also call the TAT Information Line at 1672 to check local conditions, or visit the Thailand Meteorological Department web site at http://www.tmd.go.th/en for updated weather forecasts.
The following roads should be avoided as some sections are closed due to flooding. Visitors should use alternate routes:
Route 3412 Bang Ban – Pak Hai Road
Road to Wat Satue
Road in front of Krungsri River Hotel – Wat Tham Niyom
Road to Wat Chai Wattanaram
Road to Ayothaya Floating Market and Wat Mahe Yong
Road to Amphoe Nakorn Luang
Wat Phra Yat Intersection
Attractions temporarily closed due to flooding (outside the island of Ayutthaya):
Ayothaya Floating Market
Ayutthaya Royal Elephant Kraal (the elephants have been moved to the Ayutthaya Elephant Camp, located on the island of Ayutthaya, and elephant rides are operating at that location)
Floating market at Khlong Sa Bua
Floating market at Wat Tha Ka Rong (Wat Tha Ka Rong itself remains open)
Gong Khong Market, Bang Pa-in
The Portuguese Village in Ayutthaya
Wat Cheng Tha
Wat Mae Nang Pluem
Wat Niwet Thammaprawat
Boat services around the island of Ayutthaya are temporarily suspended
Attractions that are open and unaffected by flooding (on & outside the island of Ayutthaya):
Ayutthaya Elephant Camp
Ayutthaya Historical Study Center
Ayutthaya Tourism Center
Bang Pa-in Palace (Part of the grounds have been flooded. Recommended not to visit due to inconvenience for tourists travelling via motor coach)
Bang Sai Arts and Craft Center
Chandrakasem National Museum
Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
Lad Chado Market
Million Toy Musuem
Wat Mahathat
Wat Na Phra Meru
Wat Phanan Choeng
Wat Phra Ram
Wat Phra Sri Sanphet
Wat Ratchaburana
Wat Thammaram
Wat Thammikarat
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol
Wihan Phra Mongkol Bophit
All airports throughout Thailand are operating as per normal. Train services from Bangkok to northern destinations beyond Lop Buri are suspended, with only limited services in the areas affected by the flooding. The State Railway of Thailand is offering full refunds on tickets for travelers who want to cancel their trips to destinations where train service is suspended. If you are planning to travel by train and wish to check the schedule and time, please call the State Railway of Thailand’s Call Center at 1690.
I am in Ayuthaya today (05/10). Wat Chai Wattanaram and Wat Phu Khao are affected by the floods, though you can picture them from a distance… and you’ll get some unique photos!
Thanks for the update. I was actually thinking about driving up there soon to get some pictures of the ruins surrounded by floods. Is the city quiet with few tourists?
Hi,
I am flying to Thailand in about 4 days and wanted to visit Ayutthaya. Obviously only parts are flooded, and other parts are open? How is the trip getting there with all the floods on the roads?
At this moment the rail and road to Ayutthaya is open and main attractions are open. I’m planning on going up there soon myself.
Are you in Thailand right now? Seen some crazy pics of the flooding. So many mixed reports, as some mentioned on another website that all of Ayutthaya was closed. Hopefully they can get the floods under control over the next week. Going to try and make it there one way or another.
Any word on Bangkok flooding?
Bangkok will get high water in the nex few days
i am working in ayutthaya. most of the roads heading to the tourist attractions were closed by police because main entrance to the city was flooded…
Thanks for the update. Just heard also that they have suspended buses services heading north from Bangkok this afternoon.
Hi dont plan now as we are facing problem to go out. All the roads are blocked
Can i go Oct 24 in there? I wanna go there n pray…
Dear Prasad…heard of the flood situation today.
Please let us know the status from time to time.
Will you be safe up in the higher floors? When
are the floods likely to subside? Keep in touch.
Remember the family is worried about you out here.MM
I have friends in Ayuttayah and they say their family is moving to higher ground as the flooding is expected to be very bad. They’re stuck there at the moment, as most of the roads are closed near them, or they would be on their way back to Bangkok now. They say nobody should be thinking about going into Ayuttayah until the flooding lessens. It could get pretty dangerous. Poor Ayuttayah
This morning we tourists were ushered out of Ayuthaya! The floods are definitely coming, the rivers have broken their banks and water was entering into the city this morning. Many guesthouses are now closed or closing, as are restaurants. I’m sure the sights have also closed until things are confirmed to be safe again. Many an army helicopter is flying high above keeping an eye on things.
Avoid travel to Ayuthaya!
My wife and family live in tawatsukri district of Ayutthaya and i am in touch with her by phone only as all the internet has gone down there , she tells me that today all the shops where she lives are now closed awaiting the flash flood coming this evening, she has not been able to get any food or water and is down to her last bottle of water for herself her mother and our two children , what am i to do, every one else has moved out to other homes on higher ground but my wife is stuck there and i cant get to be with her, if any one in Ayutthaya can help her by getting water to her i would be more than grateful to you , i have thought about telephoning the Thai police to see if there is anything they can do to help but i dont speak Thai, and as i am in the UK what can i do, even if i could get a flight to Thailand , how do i get to Ayutthaya as all the roads and rail are closed. Please someone help my family , i pray to God that someone can help my family
further to my last message my wifes telephone number is 0800188005 and her name is Wattanaphon shaw (Moddy). Please someone in Ayutthaya help her by getting water to her and our children, if you telephone her she will give you her address, i beg anyone who can help please do so
Dear David,
You can post on this page.
http://www.facebook.com/ThaiPBSFan
i have trried to post on that page but i cant read Thai and don’t know what to do , the situation is getting drastic now , she has no food or water and all the banks and shops are closed , i just sent her some money to buy food but she cant find a shop that is open, and she cant get her money also because of the banks and everything else that is going on with the floods, she lives near a temple but there is no one to help her. I am at my wits end now PLEASE SOMEONE HELP HER before t is too late and my family drown, i have prayed and prayed that someone will come but no one has yet , i even rang the tourist police in Ayutthaya but no one speaks english there at the moment
Hello.
I’m flying to Bangkok this coming november . I wish things are getting better because I really wanted visit Ayutthaya. Raise my hands for Thai.
Things should be better in November. October is the peak period for floods.
Thank You Richard..You’ve just made my day >
Ayutthaya is very beautiful and has so much history , you will enjoy every minute you are there, you can see King Naresuan’s shrine at wat yat chai mon kol temple and many other fantastic sites, ayoddhaya floating market,Bang-pa in palace which was the royal household and is still patrolled every day by the Thai soldiers, a little like changing the guard. Hopefully the floods would have ceased by them, hope you have a great time , one thing i will say is, you will go back to Thailand, once is never enough, good luck
How is the situation today in Ayuttaya and Bangkok? I plan to visit on the 23rd of October
Bangkok is still bracing for floods. Don’t know for sure if it will come or not But, Ayutthaya is under water for sure.
I try to visit Ayuttaya yesteday, but the highway from bangkok to ayutayya is blocked by police gate. The Minibus from victory monument is running but not to city center, but stop at Ayutayya park (shopping center on a highway) which is the junction which enter to Ayutayya city.
I have closed the comments section of this post now as so many questions are repeats. Please read this blog first before asking questions about your holiday: http://www.thaitravelblogs.com/2011/10/essential-thaiflood-information-for-foreign-tourists-in-thailand/
You can also follow me on Twitter @RichardBarrow for latest information on Thai floods.
http://www.twitter.com/RichardThailand
http://www.Facebook.com/RichardBarrowThailand