BCCT
The British Camber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) is
monitoring news on a continuing basis. There is a myriad of often
conflicting information from many sources. In order to assist you monitor
the situation we have compiled a list of useful web-links and phone numbers
from the media and our own research. This email seeks to place this
information in one place for you to save and access as necessary. Please
forward this notice to your employees.
As water is being allowed to pass through the capital and
out to open sea, an increasing number of Bangkok’s districts are likely to
be impacted, the extent of which will depend on the elevation of specific
areas.
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is open and operating
as normal; services at Don Muang Airport have been temporarily suspended and
all flights operating there have been moved to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
We have compiled a list of useful web-links and phone
numbers for your quick reference. This email seeks to place this information
in one place for you to save and access as necessary. This update includes
several new links and updated travel advice from the British Embassy. Please
forward this notice to your employees.
1. Useful Links
Flood Relief Operation Centre (in Thai) -
http://www.floodthailand.net/
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (English) -
http://www.bangkok.go.th/th/main/index.php?&l=en
Thai Meteorological Department (in English) -
http://www.tmd.go.th/en/
BMA Department of Drainage and Sewerage - with links to
water levels in various points of Chao Phraya River and other info (in Thai
only) - http://dds.bangkok .go.th/
The Nation newspaper (English) - www.nation
multimedia.com
Bangkok Post newspaper (English) - www.bangkok post.com
A European report forwarded by BCCT board director
Stephen Frost - https://members.bccthai.com/asp/view_doc.asp?DocCID=2034
A combined map (in Thai) that can be navigated by
clicking the boxes on the left hand column to show (from the top): 1)
Evacuation Centres, 2) Car parking spots, 3) Flooded roads, 4) Recommended
travel routes, 5) Flood prevention walls, 6) Flooded areas -
http://203.150.230.27/FloodMap/index.html
Flood Crisis portal (in Thai only) -
http://tinyurl.com/bmacrisiscentre & http://www.bangkokgis.com/flood/
Mirror site: http://203.155.220.107/flood/
Canal water levels across Bangkok - http://203.155.
220.107/flood/index.php
Evacuation Centres in Bangkok - http://shelter.
thaiflood.com/index.php? province=10 (in Thai only). Map:
http://tinyurl.com/evacuationcentre
Car parking around Bangkok (courtesy: Royal Thai Police)
- http://www.traffic police.go.th/download/flood54.pdf - in Thai only
Department of Highways site showing affected roads around
the country: http://maintenance.doh.go.th/flood54.html (in Thai, but with
maps)
Thairath newspaper (Thai) - http://www.thairath.co.th/
Dailynews newspaper (Thai) - http://www.dailynews.co.
th/newstartpage/index.html
Khaosod newspaper (Thai) - http://www.khaosod.co.th/
2. Useful Contact Numbers
Bangkok water levels hotline - 081-702-9999 (10:00 am -
5:00 pm) - will give out specific information on flood affected areas if the
address is known and communicated to the call center.
Government Call Centre - 1111 ext 5
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department Hotline -
1784
Royal Irrigation Department Hotline - 1460 (water
situation update)
Emergency Medical Institute Hotline - 1669
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Hotline - 1555
BMA’s flood response centre - 02-2485115
Highway Hotline - 1586
Highway Police - 1193
State Railway of Thailand Hotline - 1690
Transport Co Hotline (inter-provincial bus service) -
1490
JS100 community radio - 1137
Twitter @js100radio
Animal rescue - 1362
3. British Embassy Travel Advice
Full details at - http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/
The current advice is:
September and October are the height of the monsoon
season in Thailand. Heavy rainfall across the country has caused widespread
flooding, flash floods and mudslides and has resulted in disruption and over
350 deaths. We advise against all but essential travel to the 26 provinces
in Thailand that are flooded. The affected provinces are: North (Sukhothai,
Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan and Uthai Thani); Central (Chai Nat, Sing
Buri, Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphan Buri,
Nakhon Pathom, Pathumthani, Nonthaburi, and Samutsakhon); Northeast (Ubon
Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Srisaket, Roi-et, Surin, Mahasarakham and Kalasin),
Eastern (Chacheongsao, Nakhon Nayok and Prachinburi)
At present, Suvarnabhumi International airport remains
open, can be reached from the city centre, and flights to destinations
elsewhere in Thailand (e.g. the resorts of Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, and
Koh Samui) continue to operate normally. These tourist destinations are not
currently affected by the flood and are operating normally. Our advice
against all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok does not include
transit through Suvarnabhumi airport.
We also advise against all but essential travel to the
city of Bangkok. This is because of the large volume of flood water from the
north that needs to pass through Bangkok to the Gulf of Thailand. High tides
will slow the run-off through Bangkok especially along the Chao Phraya
River. As a result significant flooding is expected in many parts of the
capital. The flooding is likely to disrupt transport, close tourist
attractions and may affect electricity and water supplies, though the
authorities have said they will do all they can to maintain these. Supply
chain disruption and high demand is causing a shortage of bottled water,
dried/tinned foods and some other products in supermarkets. Cash machines
may not work in flooded locations. Hotels are likely to have contingency
measures in place and visitors should seek advice from the hotel management.
British nationals already in Thailand, should exercise caution and follow
the advice of the local authorities if the area that they live in is
flooded.
During the flooding period, movement around Bangkok may
be difficult and the British Embassy may only be able to provide very
limited assistance to British Nationals.
The Don Muang domestic airport closed on 25 October, due
to flooding. If you were due to use this airport contact your airline or
tour operator for information. There is disruption to road and rail
transport, particularly on routes north of Bangkok and in flooded areas. If
you are in an affected area, exercise caution and follow the advice of the
local authorities.
The Thai authorities are closely monitoring the
situation. To check areas affected and transport infrastructure impacted
please see the regular reports published by the Thai 24/7 Emergency
Operations Centre. Check with your tour operator, local media, the 24/7
Emergency Operations Centre, flooding updates from the Tourism Authority of
Thailand or the Thai Meteorological Department for up-to-date information
and warnings. Within Thailand it is possible to call the English language
24/7 Government call centre for flood advice and assistance on 1111
(extension 9). The Thai Government Public Relations Department has provided
English language advice on how to prepare for and cope with flooding.
4. Eastern Bangkok Districts - Temporary Evacuation
Centres
Min Buri
Contact: Chalermsri Chiang-uthis. Tel: 087-980-3681
Nong Chok
Contact: Damrong Ruensuk. Tel: 081-648-9597
Lat Krabang
Contact: Kosit Thammakosit. Tel: 086-981-6493
Khlong Sam Wa
Contact: Chalor Chiang-uthis. Tel: 087-017-0111
