CHUMPHON, Thailand –– Although floodwaters have subsided in many areas of Chumphon, traffic on the southbound lanes of Asian Highway 41 remains heavily congested since morning (December 15). The most affected area is around kilometer marker 15 in Sawi District, where vehicles are backed up for approximately 20 kilometers. Meanwhile, the northbound lanes toward Bangkok are now passable, albeit with slow-moving traffic in some sections.
Aerial footage captured by our news team late this morning shows a severe traffic buildup around kilometer marker 19 in Sawi District. Vehicles on the southbound lanes are barely moving, with some stretches inching forward at a snail’s pace. According to police, the congestion stretches from the aerial observation point to Sawi town—a distance of about 20 kilometers—due to lingering floodwaters. The affected section near Ban Nong Phrom, close to Phra That Sawi Temple in Sawi Subdistrict, is submerged under approximately 30 centimeters of water, leaving only the far-right lane usable. While conditions have improved compared to yesterday, when flood levels reached up to 1 meter in some roadside areas, traffic remains heavily impacted.
On the other hand, traffic heading north toward Bangkok, which was completely shut down yesterday near the Pathomphon Intersection and areas around Chumphon Bus Station and Khun Krathing Subdistrict, has reopened this morning. However, drivers heading south are advised to avoid Asian Highway 41 and take the Andaman Route instead. At the Pathomphon Intersection, travelers can detour through Ranong Province to avoid the congestion.
In low-lying areas along the highway, many homes are still inundated, forcing residents to relocate their belongings and seek temporary shelter along the roadside or at evacuation centers like the Sawi District Office.
Mr. Sutin Chueawong, a volunteer with the Chumphon Charity Foundation in Khao Thalu, reported that floodwaters remain severe in parts of Sawi Market and Phra Mahathat Sawi Temple, where boats are still needed for transportation. However, water levels are gradually receding in other areas.
For rail travel, the Chumphon Railway Station’s public relations office confirmed this morning that the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has canceled 14 southern train services indefinitely due to submerged and damaged tracks near Wisai and Sawi Stations in Sawi District. The only operational service is the Sprinter train running between Bangkok and Chumphon. (TNA)
