The Flood Aftermarth

More photos from Sue,

Today we went out for a walk, a real novelty. We were able to go further today as the flood waters had receded. I felt sorry for the bin men who had to clean all the rubbish from the streets, but I'm sure everyone is exteremly grateful to them. 

Snappy Sue Sends Super Shots Of Stinking Streets!

I just had to get that title in!  Our damp correspondent from across the river sends her latest pictures.  Thankfully, it seems they are out of the worst of it. 


At last we were able to walk out of the condo!!! 

Not a very pleasant experience due the amount of detritus lying around, but it was great to see the water virtually gone.

News From The Smelly Side

More from our non-roving correspondent over in Pinklao.


Life on the river is quiet at the moment, without the barges and Express Boats making their usual way up and down the river. However, their is always an upside for someone. This time it is the fishermen, who are able to go about their business unhindered. We have watched from our balcony as they haul in one huge fish after another!!!! They must be so happy.

Latest News From Smelly Bang Phlad (er, that's a district, not Sue).

Sue has sent us some more photos from her neck of the woods.  


These photos show our latest shopping trip of two days ago.

As you can see the water is filthy, and we have just found out that Bang Phlad (our area), is one of four districts in Bangkok with extremely polluted water. Full of chemicals, waste products and oil. So we are trying to aviod going near it as much as possible!!!  Nevertheless, we are determined to enjoy ourselves, despite all the gloomy news. 

Alan's office takes no chances

Alan took me to look at the water defences at his office.

 Coming around the corner from Jim Thompson's cafe.

Latest Pics from Pinklao

Sue has sent some more pictures from her area.

Some Funny Flood Prevention Photos

Alan managed to capture a few funny signs whilst we were out walking.

Not much to say to that one really is there?!

Shopping By Boat

Here is the latest missive from Sue over in Pinklao.

Latest Pics From Roving Correspondent Sue

Sue is keeping us up to date still, on the view from the other side of the river.

Last night the trucks were loading sand bags onto army trucks on Pinklao bridge. Then when I awoke this morning I saw lots of Navy boats going up the river loaded down with more bags.
This morning the water is at a new high!!!! The houses next to our condo our now under about 5 feet of water, the smell from the polluted water in their homes must be really unpleasant.
The condo grounds are badly flooded with a lot of soil erosion occurring, which is not helping the situation.
Access to and from the condo can now only be made by boat!!! Sandbags at the gate are keeping the water levels down within the grounds to about 12inches. However, as soon as you climb over them, to get into the boat, the water rises to chest height. Once out in the streets the manager told me the water is 5 feet deep!!! I'm definitly not going to go walking around in that!!! However, a ride in the boat to get provisions sounds exciting. Once our stocks start to deplete I will try to make the trip to Banglampoo for more supplies.
If you look closely, you will see one of the guards with a fishing net over his shoulder at the condo gate. He was about to go fishing!!! The manager told me that last night they cooked their own rice, and ate the fish they caught in the flood water.
Our manager thinks the water might be around for approximately 4 weeks now because it is so deep. We'll just have to wait and see.

Supermarket Blues

Yesterday we popped into the Tops supermarket on Sathorn, by the British Club.  This is what we were met with.

The bottom two shelves were empty on every row, presumably to keep the goods out of the flood water.

Photos From Your Dry Correspondent - Still!

More flood related photos.

Looking out towards the swimming pool from our apartment.

More Pics From Sue

From our roving correspondent Sue's email about the flood.
...the walk to the 7 Eleven, which I made yesterday in water over a metre deep for most of the way. It was quite dangerous, because it was impossible to see a curb or pot hole. Despite losing my shoe in the water twice, I made it to the 7 Eleven and managed to pick up 12 small bottles of water which I carried back on my shoulders. The walk which usually takes about 15mins there and back took 1.5 hours!!!! If I had realised how deep it was going to get, I don't think I would have gone. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the experience (sort of), the locals were so up-beat as usual, and of course they were very surprised to see me, and I got some great photo's.
Not sure I will be rushing out again, as the water is now a good deal deeper and set to rise even further!!! It will be quicker to swim!!


This email was all the more surprising when I tell you that Sue is the latest addition to my list of geographically challenged friends, she can't find her way anywhere!  I am mightily impressed Sue, that you found your way there and back, with the landscape so changed.  

Flood Preperations

In my part of town, we are all now braced for the flood.  I am still the lone voice saying it won't come, but as I have said before, that is probably more wishful thinking than anything else.

These are some photos I took walking from our soi up to Asoke and back this morning.

 This is a relatively new shop.

Rationing in BKK

I have to say that I never thought I would ever see rationing, but here it is in Bangkok.  I took this photo this morning in Big C on Rama IV.  Eggs, rice, toilet tissue and some soft drinks had these tags.  There is no water to be had apart from a few bottles of expensive Perrier - and then just over a box full.

Chao Phraya River

Yesterday Alan and I went to see for ourselves just how full the river really is.  As you can see, it is very full.  It was also fast moving.

Water Water Everywhere But Not A Drop To Drink!

Wednesday evening I was told that the supplier of our drinking water (Sprinkle), could no longer provide us with water as their factory had been flooded.

That was followed by the news that some of the drinking water in BKK had become slightly contaminated by flood water.

On top of that, we were then told that we were going to be hit by the flood water today or this weekend.  I have to say at this point, it feels bizarre talking about the place flooding.  It is bright sunshine and hasn't rained in a couple of days.  I am positive that the rainfall in BKK itself is lighter than normal.


Anyway, as it was evening, I decided to wait until the next day to buy a few bottles of back up water.

Flood Prevention

As I'm writing this there is an enormous downpour going on.  It has been a typical monsoon type of day in fact.  A bit of sun, a bit of grey, a bit of rain.

We went out for lunch and I took a few photos to show you how Sukhumvit is preparing itself for the flood (should it come).

Bangkok Floods

I think our neighbour is taking this flooding business way more seriously than I.  Mind you, maybe I would be more concerned if I lived on the ground floor.

Tom & Jerry's area is one of the areas designated as likely to flood.  I guess all those klongs around Sathorn make it an easy target.