The current flooding is having some impact on tourism. Key tourist destinations and attractions across Thailand are not damaged by the floods and most are open.
Provinces in the other parts of Thailand including the northeast, east, west and south are not affected by the floods. Major tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai, Loei, Phuket, Krabi and Samui are experiencing normal weather conditions.
The floods are mainly affecting land in low-lying agricultural areas and adjacent to major waterways such as the Chao Phraya River. Warnings of heavy rains resulting in localized flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas or areas adjacent to waterways have been issued for several provinces.
Certain areas of several provinces in north and central Thailand including Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Kampheang Phet, Khon Kaen, Lamphun, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Mahasarakham, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Prachin Buri, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Ubon Ratchathani, and Uthai Thani have been affected by floods due to heavier-than-usual seasonal rains.
The crest of the floodwaters is currently passing through Bangkok. Most parts of the city have not been affected, while flooding is occurring in some areas adjacent to the Chao Phraya River. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has comprehensive flood control measures in place and is monitoring the situation closely.
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 (SRT) is offering full refunds on tickets for travelers who want to cancel their trips to destinations where train service is suspended. Travelers can contact the SRT Call Center at 1690 for updates regarding train services. Highway 32, also known as The Asian Highway (AH-2), is partly affected by the floods and closed from Km 21 to Km 39 in Ayutthaya province.
Tourists planning to travel to the provinces affected by the floods are advised to check the latest weather forecasts for their destination and confirm arrangements with the transportation providers with which they will be travelling. 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.
Useful links
http://apps.arcgis.com/hosted/OnePane/azuretwitter/index.html?appid=34d713d7671045779c7c0acb4a4b8b6c
http://maintenance.doh.go.th/test.html
http://www.tmd.go.th/en/daily_forecast.php
via Around Thailand — Flooding situation updates/ useful links and contact numbers.
