Bangkok in a panicking mood

BANGKOK/HUA HIN (eTN)- In just 24 hours Bangkok’s mood has changed from anxiety to panic.

BANGKOK/HUA HIN (eTN)- In just 24 hours Bangkok’s mood has changed from anxiety to panic. After claiming to be on a holy mission to save Bangkok in a previous comment a couple of weeks ago, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumband finally admitted that flooding will now reach more areas, including the city center. After Don Muang district, three more districts of the capital will experience heavy flooding which could reach up to two meters, especially for houses massed along the Chao Praya River, water gate sluices and canals. Bangkok Administration announced that both Sai Mai and Lat Prao districts have to be evacuated. The Royal Palace was last afternoon surrounded by waters following the Statement of his Majesty the King, asking to let waters going through. Blocking waters around the Royal Palace – located next to the Chao Praya River- would only add to the suffering of local people around as it would provocate a higher level of water. With Don Muang airport remaining closed, refugees will now be accommodated at Suvarnabhumi airport.

The last 24 hours have experienced a complete change in the official speech of both Government and Bangkok Administration. They suddenly admit their failure in controling the billions of cubic metres of waters massed North of the Thai capital The Flood Relief Operation Centre (FROC) just advised Bangkokians to leave the city as soon as possible for the long week-end holiday. Since yesterday morning, Bangkok is experiencing an exodus of people. Lots of them flee to Pattaya and Hua Hin, two seaside resorts located some two hours drive from the capital. however both resort cities along the Gulf of Thailand also experience shortages for food and drinking water due to the closure of all distribution centers in Ayutthaya, flooded two weeks ago. As hotels and residences are already packed in Cha Am, Hua Hin and Pattaya, the exodus is likely to move deeper to the South.

About the author

Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen Thomas Steinmetz has continuously worked in the travel and tourism industry since he was a teenager in Germany (1977).
He founded eTurboNews in 1999 as the first online newsletter for the global travel tourism industry.

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