So far 30 provinces in Thailand are affected by the monsoon rain. And concern is growing in Bangkok and Ayutthaya.
Bangkok – After heavy monsoon rain in Thailand, at least 70,000 houses are under water, especially in the central regions. So far, 30 provinces have been affected, including the historic Sukhothai region 400 kilometers north of the capital Bangkok.
Although the main tourist attractions have been spared so far, tropical storm Dianmu has devastated most of the access routes, the newspaper “Bangkok Post” quoted local tour operators as saying.
Because of the rising level of the mighty Chao Phraya River, which also flows through Bangkok, further flooding is feared. In various locations in the catchment area, including Bangkok and the old royal city of Ayutthaya, helpers tried to protect important buildings with sandbags, local media reported. Ayutthaya with its historical park – an archaeological site with palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues – is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the country.
The authorities meanwhile announced that there is no fear of a repetition of the devastating floods of 2011. Compared to then, the water level in the four largest dams in the country is much lower, said the royal irrigation office. “The situation is not the same as it was in 2011. People shouldn’t panic about it,” said Pakorn Ataphant of the Geospatial Agency.
During the rainy season in Thailand between July and October there are frequent floods. Ten years ago, water had flooded large areas of land, industrial parks with hundreds of factories and parts of Bangkok. Many factories were closed for weeks. More than 800 people were killed. dpa
