Flood conditions prevail in central Thailand and parts of Bangkok.  Around 26 provinces of Thailand are affected including Ayuthya and Bangkok.  There have been over 350 deaths reported.  Three more districts of Bangkok have been inundated – Lad Prao, Chatuchak and Wangthonglang.  There is likelihood of greater areas of Bangkok being flooded over the weekend,  the peak flood period.
H.E. Kittiratt na Ranong, Deputy Prime Minister and H.E. Pracha Promnog, Flood Relief Operation Centre (FROC) President at a briefing on Friday 28th October have presented the worst case scenario for Bangkok as:-

• 10cm to 1.5m of water for 2 weeks to one month depending on the area.
• East of Chao Phraya river: lasting flooding but non-permanent due to the variation of the tide.
• West of Bangkok: Controlled flooding as it will be the evacuation channel for the northern water mass to the seaboard.
• Central Bangkok: Protected by dykes.  Leaks or water flow due to ruptures can be drained through canals (Klongs) or through pumping stations.

Major tourist destinations such as: 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.

(FROC) of the Thai government has been moved from Don Muang airport to PTT headquarters on Vibhawadi Rangsit Road. 

To check areas that are affected and transportation disrupted, check reports published daily by Thai 24x7 Emergency Operations Centre . Updated situation may be also be seen at:  

http://flood.gistda.or.th, 
www.thaiflood.com/en, www.disaster.go.th (Thai/English),
 www.mfa.go.th/web/3082.php (English),
http://dds.bangkok.go.th/scada/ and 
www.thailandtourismupdate.com(Thai/English).  

Don Muang Airport, one of the two airports of Bangkok has been closed to airline operations due to flooding.  Suvarnabhumi International Airport continues to be operational.  While it lies in a level 2 area designated as ‘high risk’ (which is between ‘highest risk’ and ‘moderate risk’ areas), authorities are making efforts to strengthen its embankments. “Flood Monitoring Center” has been set up at Suvarnabhumi airport to co-ordinate with officials from Thai and international commercial airlines. Contact: Special Affairs Department Tel: +66 (0) 2132 9029, Fax: +66 (0) 2132 9019,
E-mail: aot_media@airportthai.co.th    

AIT (Asian Institute of Technology) has been evacuated due to flood conditions.    Indian students have moved out and have been evacuated to India.
The Thai government has declared holiday for the period 27-31 October 2011 in 21 provinces including Bangkok.

Visitors/tourists from India should contact their tour operators /hotels / guides to check the flood situation in their places of visit/stay/travel. Those already in Thailand may also do so and keep themselves updated of the current situation through their local contacts, hotels and media about the current situation. 

The Embassy of India, Bangkok and Consulate of India in Chiang Mai will continue to function during this period according to the usual schedule.  A 24-hour Control Room will be operational at the Embassy of India during the period 28-31 October 2011.  Queries on flood related information, visa and passport services and other requests can be made here:

Some important Thai government contact numbers are as follows:

October 30, 2011