Suvarnabhumi airport and floods

[satyr 15]

Is the Suvarabhumi airport expected to flood and if so when do you expect it to flood? What do you think?

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Is the Suvarabhumi airport expected to flood and if so when do you expect it to flood? What do you think?

 

 

 

Don't even think such thoughts. I'm supposed to land Thursday night.

 

Evil

 

 

[joekicker 53]

The airport is fine. It is expected to stay that way - "expected" being the operative word of course. They've built a quite impressive dyke to add to the already extensive anti-flood systems.

 

It is highly unlikely Suvarnabhumi will flood, but nothing is certain given the huge wall of water which will arrive at Bangkok on Wednesday, not to mention the high tides that will meet it on this coming weekend. There are no alerts, no warnings -- not from Thailand or any other country about possible airport problems. Of various potential problems in coming days, the airport's flooding is currrently ranked pretty low.

 

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[MM 6,562]

I just heard that the pumps that drain the water from the swamp are possibly going to run out of fuel due to fuel distribution problems. This was a bar stool story, so I don't know how much credence to give it.

[STARGAZER 12]

The airport is fine. It is expected to stay that way - "expected" being the operative word of course. They've built a quite impressive dyke to add to the already extensive anti-flood systems.

 

It is highly unlikely Suvarnabhumi will flood, but nothing is certain given the huge wall of water which will arrive at Bangkok on Wednesday, not to mention the high tides that will meet it on this coming weekend. There are no alerts, no warnings -- not from Thailand or any other country about possible airport problems. Of various potential problems in coming days, the airport's flooding is currrently ranked pretty low.

 

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How long you live here??? You believe the news???

[CheshireTom 1,377]

How long you live here??? You believe the news???

 

So what is the NEWS??

 

The worst case scenario, from what I've read/listened to, has the deluge from the north meeting the high-tide from the south sometime between Thu-Sat. Nobody seems to be taking bets on what the outcome will be.

 

 

 

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Latest update from United/Continental is that there are no problems so far with flights in/out of BKK, nor any problems in reaching the Sukhumvit area from the airport. However, passengers holding reservation for travel between Oct. 21 and Oct. 31 are allowed to change their flight dates at no cost, even for the most restricted ticket.

 

Evil

[joekicker 53]

So what is the NEWS??

 

I do hope we get an answer.

 

The worst case scenario, from what I've read/listened to, has the deluge from the north meeting the high-tide from the south sometime between Thu-Sat. Nobody seems to be taking bets on what the outcome will be.

 

This is what typically happens at the climax of every rainy season in fact. There are always high tides this time of year, and they come right up the Chao Phraya system from Pak Nam. ThonBuri (west) side gets it, then the Bangkok side around Wat Pra Kaew and Yaowaraj and so on.

 

None of the above would affect the airport at all. But you bet, it's the worst thing that's going to happen in Bangkok barring ... well, barring something no one's ever heard of before.

 

I just heard that the pumps that drain the water from the swamp are possibly going to run out of fuel due to fuel distribution problems. This was a bar stool story, so I don't know how much credence to give it.

 

If there are fuel distribution problems at Suvarnabhumi, then probably we won't be needing the airport at all - airplanes ALSO needing that fuel distribution rather urgently.

 

FWIW I don't believe that particular story as of this Tuesday morning, it's way too exclusive for me. I'm looking at the morning newspapers and TV news and the Suvaranabhumi airport isn't involved in any discussion. Don Mueang, yes - some breakdowns there and some water out in front. But Suvaranabhumi, not yet.

 

This beautifully named FROC outfit is so incompetent. (How incomepent is it?) It's so incompetent that no one believes what it says without confirmation and, of course, since no one believes it, rumours are a dime a dozen. (On Sunday, FROC denied its own report as an unfounded rumour. That's ALSO how bad it is.) FROC = Flood Relief Operation Command, based at Don Mueng airport.

 

Also, the river embankment broke on Monday opposite Thammasat University (Thon Buri side of the river) and the Pata Department Store (Pinklao) area is under a foot or two. No problems on the Bangkok side YET.

 

To me, the biggest story about Suvarnabhumi is that it sits atop a magnificent swamp where they used to drain the floodwaters. It is a huge, natural sponge, but where water now can't go.

 

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Edited October 24, 2011 by joekicker

[ttk 236]

Delta has announced an advisory for flooding in Bangkok for travel dates 22-31 Oct..

 

 

Advisory: Flooding in Bangkok. 

Flooding in Thailand is expected to impact travel to, from, or through Bangkok. Visit the full advisory for more information.


Last Updated: October 21, 2011, 10:30am EDT (-5 GMT)

Doesn't say it WILL happen but they are allowing no cost changes now

[jacko 8,822]

I just heard that the pumps that drain the water from the swamp are possibly going to run out of fuel due to fuel distribution problems. This was a bar stool story, so I don't know how much credence to give it.

Surprised they aren't electric motor driven.

Coincidentally just read this...

To speed up the current from Pathum Thani's Canal 13 to Hok Wa Lang Canal at the border with Bangkok and finally to the Gulf of Thailand, pumps have to be borrowed from Suvarnabhumi Airport, he said.

How about the supplies for the aircraft then?

I know it is different stuff, but what is the supply route?

Edited October 25, 2011 by jacko

[joekicker 53]

How about the supplies for the aircraft then?

 

The av fuel at Suvarnabhumi comes via pipelines from several tank farms (not one), into tanks at the airport, from where it is pumped into the flying machines. There was something on this in the news when one of the airport tanks burned a year or two back.

 

I know it is different stuff, but what is the supply route?

 

What I said up ^^^ there. If supply lines for diesel (or whatever) for the pumps are broken, hard to believe the avaiation fuel lines are all perfect. Yet planes are flying entirely normally. That's why I don't believe this rumour at all, and the more I read and see this morning the less I believe it, assuming you can believe something less than "not at all".

 

When Suvarnabhumi was built, which wasn't long ago, it was built on a swamp where floods were expected annually. It would be quite surprising if the amount of flooding around the airport so far could interfere with supplies. Never say "never" of course, but this just doesn't ring true in any manner.

 

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[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Latest update from United/Continental is that there are no problems so far with flights in/out of BKK, nor any problems in reaching the Sukhumvit area from the airport. However, passengers holding reservation for travel between Oct. 21 and Oct. 31 are allowed to change their flight dates at no cost, even for the most restricted ticket.

 

Evil

 

 

 

No change in status this morning. United/Continental still booking passengers through to Bangkok the rest of the week, but flights are filling up as those who need to get to Thailand are trying to get there before more serious flooding hits Bangkok.

 

Evil

 

 

[joekicker 53]

No change in status this morning. United/Continental still booking passengers through to Bangkok the rest of the week, but flights are filling up as those who need to get to Thailand are trying to get there before more serious flooding hits Bangkok.

 

The salient points here tonight: Don Mueang HAS closed, just too much water closing in. And the government has declared a five-day holiday weekend, Thursday through Monday - although not (yet) the banks.

 

Nothing else has changed, although at PattayaTalk I anticipate the hand-wringers and sensationalists to jump on Don Mueang closing.

 

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Edited October 25, 2011 by joekicker

[jacko 8,822]

The salient points here tonight: Don Mueang HAS closed, just too much water closing in. And the government has declared a five-day holiday weekend, Thursday through Monday - although not (yet) the banks.

 

Nothing else has changed, although at PattayaTalk I anticipate the hand-wringers and sensationalists to jump on Don Mueang closing.

 

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Well Pattaya claims to be filling up with those running from the water, and there are shortages due to supply disruption and those increasing numbers. Substantial price hikes announced too by her straight back from the market.

[joekicker 53]

Well Pattaya claims to be filling up with those running from the water, and there are shortages due to supply disruption and those increasing numbers. Substantial price hikes announced too by her straight back from the market.

 

Yeah, Bangkok authorities - Froc and others - have actually issued "get out of town if you can" suggestions. They specifically said "if you have family up-country" but it wouldn't take much to get me to Pattaya for a week WITH family if I could.

 

Wife and daughter supposed to fly in next week. It's a date-specific event, but I'm mulling it hard. Our house is in a dry section but it's getting like an island. Have you seen this nice GIS shot? Yesterday's photo, but you get the drift.

 

 

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[joekicker 53]

From Wednesday's Fishwrap, on Don Mueang airport, with a passing comment on Suvarnabhumi:

 

 

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[Zed 1]

I land midday this Saturday 29th I presume as long as we can land and we can drive directly to Pattaya we will be okay ?????????????

[joekicker 53]

I land midday this Saturday 29th I presume as long as we can land and we can drive directly to Pattaya we will be okay ?????????????

 

There shouldn't be a problem. The floods go (duh!) through the river basin - least resistance, flowing downhill, reach their own level, etc. It would have to be some massive flood surge that would affect Suvarnabhumi-Pattaya traffic.

 

At this moment, no one is saying "never". But airport-to-Pattaya being open is as sure as it gets.

 

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[jacko 8,822]

There shouldn't be a problem. The floods go (duh!) through the river basin - least resistance, flowing downhill, reach their own level, etc. It would have to be some massive flood surge that would affect Suvarnabhumi-Pattaya traffic.

 

At this moment, no one is saying "never". But airport-to-Pattaya being open is as sure as it gets.

 

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I just posted elsehere that I heard reports of tents on Jomtiem beach, unconfirmed so far, but hardly surprising. I have a hotel booking in town I need to check on, it wouldn't hurt me too much to give it up for a washed out Bangkok family. Better that than my house eh?

That sat pic really shows the magnitude of the problem.

 

Stick it out Joe, Pattaya couldn't handle you.

Edited October 25, 2011 by jacko

[voracious 31]

Headed to Suvarnabhumi Airport in a few hours, then onward (by taxi) to Bangkok. I hope to be able to give you a first hand update on both.

 

I am hoping not to run into anything too chaotic.

[joekicker 53]

That sat pic really shows the magnitude of the problem.

 

Isn't it something? Here's a couple more, from last week. People tell me what a shitty job the government is doing, I show them the picture and say, "Okay, sport, what should we do?"

 

 

 

 

 

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[CheshireTom 1,377]

Isn't it something? Here's a couple more, from last week. People tell me what a shitty job the government is doing, I show them the picture and say, "Okay, sport, what should we do?"

 

 

That's been one of the highlights for me over the last few weeks. I still find it hard to take on board that people would happily see the country totally f*cked if it got rid of their political opponents. It's a good indication of the divisions that exist when eventually the "gloves come off".

 

 

 

[joekicker 53]

I just posted elsehere that I heard reports of tents on Jomtiem beach, unconfirmed so far, but hardly surprising.

 

And of course one of the really big problems is that you can't go "up" from Bangkok, while going to Pattaya is still very easy. I got an email a couple of days ago from a friend describing his 31 hour trip from Bangkok to Isan. Of course, you can loop down, around and back up through the park and all, but even then there's SOME water and hellacious traffic. Pattaya is the refuge of least resistance, even though 2/3rd of Bangkok would probably rather go north and northeast.

 

I have not heard, but I imagine you can still go west, too - Kanchanaburi and Phetchaburi and Hua Hin are doable, I think. It's a five or six-day weekend for most coming up, and Pattaya will be close to unliveable, probably. Bummer all around.

 

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[jacko 8,822]

And of course one of the really big problems is that you can't go "up" from Bangkok, while going to Pattaya is still very easy. I got an email a couple of days ago from a friend describing his 31 hour trip from Bangkok to Isan. Of course, you can loop down, around and back up through the park and all, but even then there's SOME water and hellacious traffic. Pattaya is the refuge of least resistance, even though 2/3rd of Bangkok would probably rather go north and northeast.

 

I have not heard, but I imagine you can still go west, too - Kanchanaburi and Phetchaburi and Hua Hin are doable, I think. It's a five or six-day weekend for most coming up, and Pattaya will be close to unliveable, probably. Bummer all around.

 

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The BIL started off in Northern BKK (Pathum Thani) and took ages to get to Pattaya, and then carried on to Korat to take refuge. Looking at the Sat pick the options of escape on wheels are very limited!

[Dr Mick 111]

Well all ok in Khon Kaen,not had any rain for over a week now.

Today went for a walk around the main lake near my house,water very low for this time of year.

Was a great walk ,sunny no clouds in the sky ,cooling breeze bringing the temp to a nice 28c

Beer tents being set up around the lake ,ready for Nov and Dec festivals ongoing in these 2 months.

Love this time of year as lots of eye candy to see whilst having a cold beer.

 

NEWS FLASH

 

BKK ladies coming up to Khon Kaen to work as can now not work in BKK.

 

Iv I said i love living in Khon Kaen