BANGKOK, 27 October 2011 – Traffic has become heavily congested in Pattaya and Khao Yai National Park as Bangkok residents are escaping the city ahead of the massive flood forecast for this weekend.
As the northern runoff has inundated the Rangsit area of Pathum Thani province, cutting off major northbound routes, and has begun to enter Bangkok, city dwellers are flocking to safer locations, especially the northeastern and eastern regions of the country, in escape of the approaching flood.
Throngs of cars are reportedly heading to the beach city of Pattaya in Chon Buri province, causing severe traffic jam on both the Bangkok-Pattaya Motorway and Bang Na-Trat Highway. Moreover, traffic has become paralyzed throughout North, Central and South Pattaya, particularly on Sukhumvit Road. On the other hand, the sea of visitors is deemed as a major boost to the local tourism.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of commuters bound for the Northeast have been caught in traffic on Highway Number 304 (Kabin Buri-Nakhon Ratchasima). The chief of Khao Yai National Park said he had been asked by the governor of Prachin Buri province to allow motorists to cut through the park and exit at Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima province.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has granted approval for the opening of the main road in Khao Yai National Park to commuters free of charge from 6.00-21.00 hrs every day with an aim to help ease the traffic jam in the area. The passage will be allowed until the main road to the northeastern part of Thailand which has been destroyed by floods are restored to normal condition.
