THAILAND: High tide floods the inner parts of Bangkok Chinatown

Record ID: 569812

  • Title: THAILAND: High tide floods the inner parts of Bangkok Chinatown
  • Date: 30th October 2011
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (OCTOBER 29, 2011) (REUTERS) WATER FROM RIVER BEGINNING TO FLOOD STREET WATER GUSHING PEOPLE WALKING IN FLOODWATER, PEOPLE SEATED IN SHOP BEHIND FLOOD BARRIER LEGS WALKING IN WATER WATER GUSHING OUT OF ALLEY IN DARK
  • Embargoed: 14th November 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand, Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Disasters,Weather
  • Reuters ID: LVA3BB50SGD1UCCJICR0QCVIDFY1
  • Story Text: Thailand's tourist attractions and Chinatown in the capital were briefly flooded during the highest tide of the day on Saturday (October 29) evening, as residents attempted to go about their lives as normal.
    The normally bustling city centre was flooded, as were the streets around the glittering Grand Palace and Temple of the Reclining Buddha, areas usually thronged with tourists.
    Increasing water levels have inundated Chinatown, the Chinese community, though residents in the area attempt to continue their daily routines.
    Bangkok's main waterway, the Chao Phraya River, overflowed its banks and flooded some areas on Saturday during unusually high tides in the Gulf of Thailand, about 20 km (12 miles) to the south.
    The high tides will last until Monday.
    Somchai Leeitthi, 53 year-old second hand auto parts seller in China town said floods have affected on his life and business.
    "I used to earn 4,000 to 5,000 Baht a day but now it's all gone. I have to monitor water level everyday. I don't want to go far from home and all the furnitures are damaged," said Somchai.
    Rising water level in Saturday evening have inundated the main roads in front of the Grand Palace, a popular tourist destination in Bangkok.
    Buildings across Bangkok have been sand-bagged or walled off for protection. Many people have left their cars on motorway flyovers and elevated roads.
    Thailand's worst floods in half a century have killed 381 people since July.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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