BANGKOK, Nov 4 – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the capital’s municipal government, has advised residents living in four sub-districts of Chatuchak to evacuate, and designated Nong Kham district’s Nong Kham sub-district for a close watch.
The areas advised to evacuate are Lat Yao, Sena Nikhom, Chankasem and Chatuchak adjacent to Khlong Prem Prachakorn and the north-bound railroad.
The latest evacuation was announced as the northern runoff is advancing towards the inner city and spreading into larger areas of the capital.
Chatuchak district is the latest among eight evacuated earlier — Don Mueang, Laksi, Bang Phlat, Saimai, Thawi Watthana, Taling Chan, Bang Kaen and Bang Khae — of Bangkok’s overall 50 districts.
The waterflow has already occupied the capital’s Lad Phrao intersection, where three major roads converge with a popular shopping mall Major Ratchayothin is situated in the area.
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand which operates the city’s underground system said all MRT stations remain open but the flooding situation is being closely monitored.
MRT staff erected steel barriers at their stations weeks ago to safeguard the system from possible flood.
Central Pattana (CPN), Thailand’s largest retail developer, closed its flooded Central Department Store branch at Lat Prao, its third branch to close, following last month’s closure of its Pin Klao and Ram Indra branches.
CPN senior public relations manager Sakorn Taweesin said the company will monitor the flood situation closely and expects to reopen its outlets once the situation eases.
Central currently manages 15 department stores throughout the country with 10 in the capital.
