Over the past several weeks, seasonal rains that are heavier than usual have resulted in widespread flooding in Thailand. While the flooding is having some impact on tourism, most key tourist destinations and attractions throughout Thailand have not been affected by the floods and almost all remain open. The floods are mainly affecting the provinces in central Thailand and a few provinces in the North and Northeast. Provinces in the south of Thailand have not been affected by the floods.

Major tourist destinations; such as, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Pattaya, Ko Chang, Rayong, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Ko Samui, and all provinces in southern Thailand are experiencing normal weather conditions for this time of year.

All airports in Thailand, including Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, have not been affected by the floods and are operating as per usual. Tourist destinations in the North; such as, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, are best accessed by air as some roads and railways in the central provinces are closed due to the floods. Provinces in southern and eastern Thailand remain fully accessible by road and train.

Train services from Bangkok to northern destinations beyond Ayutthaya 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 travellers who want to cancel their trips to destinations where train service is suspended. 

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 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 Contact Numbers:

TAT Call Centre:                                                  1672

Thai Airways:                                                     02-356-1111

Bangkok Airways:                                                 02-265-8777 or Twitter: @bangkok_airways

Air Asia:                                                             02-515-9999  

Nok Air:                                                              1318 or 02-900-9955

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Call Centre :           1690

Transport Co.,Ltd. Hotline:                                    1490

(inter-provincial bus service)                               

Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand:                 1669

Highway Hotline:                                                   1586

Royal Irrigation Department Hotline:                        1460

Highway Police:                                                     1193

1.     Update for Bangkok

The areas of central Bangkok where tourists normally go are not flooded and fully accessible. Everything continues as normal for both visitors and Bangkok residents in these areas.

Most of the flooding now taking place is in provinces to the north and east of Bangkok. Almost all of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area is protected by a large network of flood walls, levees, canals and drainage tunnels. The city government is using this network to manage the water flow and minimize flooding in the city.

Some outlying suburban districts of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area outside of these flood defenses are experiencing localized flooding. During periods of intensely heavy rain, there is some localized flooding of certain low-lying streets in Bangkok. These conditions are quickly cleared up by municipal work crews and the city's storm water drainage system.

The Chao Phaya River, which runs through Bangkok, is at a higher-than-normal level with some localised flooding along certain sections of its banks. The river's water flow is being carefully managed by government officials to prevent broader flooding. The area around Suvarnabhumi Airport has considerable flood protection measures in place. The Airport has not been affected by floods and continues to operate normally.

Visitors can check water levels in each district of Bangkok at the Royal Irrigation Department: http://dds.bangkok.go.th/scada

Day trips and short trips to tourist attractions close to Bangkok; such as, Pattaya, Hua-Hin, Damnoen Saduak Floating Marketing in Ratchaburi, and Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram remain unaffected by the floods and open to visitors.  Tourists who would like to visit historical attractions can consider Sukhothai Historical Park in Sukhothai. 

2.     Update for Ayutthaya

The province of Ayutthaya has been widely affected by the floods. This includes Ayutthaya's inner city island and World Heritage Site. Tourist attractions on and outside the island of Ayutthaya have been temporarily closed due to the floods. Due to the disruptions caused by the floods, the TAT recommends that tourists avoid visiting Ayutthaya until the flood water subsides and tourist attractions have reopened.

3.     Update for other popular tourist destinations

Information on the impact of the floods is provided for other popular tourist destinations by the following regions within Thailand.   

3.1    North

Major tourist destinations in the north not affected by the floods include:

• Chiang Mai
• Chiang Rai
• Lampang
• Sukhothai

Events & activities affected by flooding:

• Uthai Thani's Traditional Long-tailed Boat Competition 2011 is cancelled.
• Uthai Thani's "Tak Bat Thewo," merit-making event will still be held on the morning of 13 October 2011; however, it is scaled down to merit-making with monks from Khao Sakae Krang.

3.2    Northeast

Major tourist destinations in the Northeast not affected by the floods include:

• Loei
• Nakhon Ratchasima
• Ubon Ratchathani
• Udon Thani

Events & activities affected by flooding:

• The following national parks remain open; however, water-related activities are not allowed:
  • Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Mae Wong National Park, Nakhon Sawan
  • Thap Lan National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Tat Ton National Park, Chaiyaphum
  • Wang Nam Khieo National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima

• The following national parks are temporarily closed until further notice:
  • Kosumphee Forest Park, Maha Sarakham
  • Lam Pao Wildlife Conservation Development and Promotion Station or Suan Sa-on, Kalasin
  • Nam Phong National Park, Khon Kaen

3.3    Central Region

Major tourist destinations in the Central Region not affected by the floods include:

• Hua-Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan
• Kanchanaburi
• Ko Chang, Trat
• Pattaya, Chonburi
• Ratchaburi
• Rayong

Events & activities affected by flooding:

• The 23rd Lop Buri Flower and Ornamental Plants Festival, previously scheduled for      22 October 2011, is postponed until further notice.

3.4    South

No provinces in the South have been affected by the floods. 
This includes:

• Chumphon
• Krabi
• Nakhon Si Thammarat
• Narathiwat
• Pattani
• Phang Nga
• Phatthalung
• Phuket
• Ranong
• Songkhla
• Satun
• Surat Thani
• Trang
• Yala