Weather in Hua Hin & Thailand

[hhfarang]

Strange weather we've been having in Hua Hin. A lot of cloudy, yet hot and muggy, days but very little rain...

[hhfarang]

Has anyone seen detailed information (like a map) showing the flooded areas of the country or a list (I know this is asking a lot) of road or highway closures due to flooding.

My missus has plans to leave on Monday for the northern reaches of Issan and I'm wondering if she can even get there.

[hhfarang]

I did find this one but unfortunately it is with an article that is two weeks old and there is no legend with the map. I assume red is flooded but don't know what all the other colors mean.

I guess I really need that list of highway closures...



Edit:

Just found this list of roads, highways, and attractions that are closed. It's only 4 days old:

http://www.thaitravelblogs.com/2011/10/ ... 3-october/

I've convinced her to take a bus (actually two buses) as those companies travel the highways daily and should know the routes that are open.

[Nereus]

There is a current list shown here, but the problem with any list it is likely to change by the hour. There are also some phone numbers.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... er-worsens

[hhfarang]

Thanks Nereus.

[Korkenzieher]

Given that the nick-name of the airport is 'Swampy', is it likely that I will be able to land on Monday? There seems to be an awful lot of red around Bangkok.

[PeteC]

Regardless that she's taking the bus now HHF, you may want to call this number published in The Nation to check on flooded roads. I assume it's a recording. Pete

".......Call 1586 to check about flooded roads....."

PS: If me, I'd try my best to postpone the trip until November regardless of mode of transport. Things are just too uncertain up there and changing daily.

[hhfarang]

Pete, that's a very good suggestion, but try changing your Thai wife's mind after it's made up. They no rissim... ...at least I got her to agree to a bus and not try to drive all the way up and back in her Civic by herself.

If she can figure out the bus route, I'll have her call that number to check on the highways. I think she has to take a bus from Hua Hin to Korat; then another one on to Loei. It seems, according to some reports that the worst is yet to come, around the middle of this month.

[chopsticks]

Flooding in Lop Buri a few days ago :

www.channel4.com/news/200-dead-in-thailand-floods

[PeteC]

Yes, this is one of those times that regardless of the party in power, there is little that can be done to prevent what is happening and is going to happen. The key is how quickly and completely they'll respond in helping people after the fact. If they perform badly, this indeed could be a short lived government. Their core supporters will turn against them. Pete

[hhfarang]

The weather in Hua Hin as far as rain goes reminds me of Florida... localized storms. Just now, a big thunderstorm broke out at my house with heavy rain and thunder and lightening, yet two kilometers away my wife is happily shopping at the grand market and it is dry (I called because I was worried).

Amazing that parts of a city as small as this can be under assault by heavy thunderstorms and torrential rains while a few blocks away is having fine weather...

[STEVE G]

Yes it's strange how small those thunderstorms can be. Last week we were stuck out to the West of town on the motorbike when one passed over and you could actually see where it was slowly heading and plan a route home that avoided it. It was raining so hard a couple of miles away that the hills were obscurred but we got back with only a few light showers.

[marion]

Dear sir, madam, I am travelling to Hua Hin tomorrow, arriving at Bangkok friday 14 october and later in the afternoon in
Hua Hin. Could you please tell me honestly how the situation is there and if we should consider cancelling?
We have been looking forward to this trip so much, but I am worried.
Thank you.

[chaspul]

Hi Marion
Just been sent an email from the Uk Embassy containing the following linkhttp://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help- ... vel-advice
It seems that most of the flooding is north of Bangkok at present, but will be moving south later this week as the waters try to drain.
According to Bangkok Post yesterday, they are reinforcing the flood defences and the airport is unlikely to flood due to the drainage system that was installed when built. Not sure you can belive every thing the Thai authorities say.
Bangkok/Hua Hin mini buses are still speeding through the town so they must be finding a way through.
Local weather is patchy overcast with occasional thunderstorms but you will still get a tan.
The thunderstorms do not last long but can be very heavy and cause localised flooding in the town, not normaly to the depth you see north of Bangkok at present.
Also depends where you are in Hua Hin, Thai Met a few days ago reported 14.2 mm where as my met station near Black Mountain about 7 Km out of town only recorded 5 mm. Much different to the 115 mm around the Chang Mai area!
My feeling is that you should be OK on arrival, whether you can get away again at the end of your visit is in the lap of the Gods. Come and enjoy Thailand.
Chas
P.S. Just had to cancel our planned 10 day road trip to Nong Khai (NE Thailand) first holiday in 3 years.

[squire]

Dear sir, madam, I am travelling to Hua Hin tomorrow, arriving at Bangkok friday 14 october and later in the afternoon in
Hua Hin. Could you please tell me honestly how the situation is there and if we should consider cancelling?
We have been looking forward to this trip so much, but I am worried.
Thank you.

I live in central BKK where all is well at present, roads are dry and no flooding at the moment (on Thurs afternoon). The airport is okay at present also. As you are arriving in the morning I would not expect any difficulty for you as th etolloway from the airport to Rama 2 Road (to other side of Chaophrya River) is elevanted most of the way. There are a couple of bridges to then drive across in Samut Sakhon before making your way to Petchaburi and Hua Hin (these bridges are high so should be no problem crossing these rivers. The high tides at present are approx 6am and 6pm.

I wouldn't envisage any difficulties for you if travelling tomorrow. Some folks believe that parts of Bangkok will feel some impact later in the weekend.