Rain / Flooding, Bangkok

There was some confusion about Thailand's main airport closing, which it has not, only the old, smaller, "second" airport, Don Muang. Please note:

BANGKOK’S SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT OPEN AND OPERATING NORMALLY, DON MUEANG AIRPORT CLOSED
Issued at Bangkok at 19:30 (GMT+7) on 26 October 2011

Bangkok is served by two airports. Suvarnabhumi Airport, the main gateway to Thailand with 120 international and domestic airlines, remains open. It is operating normally and handling around 76 flights per hour including all scheduled international arrivals and departures.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is also the main connector for international visitor arrivals to transfer to and from domestic flights serving tourist destinations throughout Thailand such as Phuket, Chiang Mai and Surat Thani. All domestic flights are also operating as per usual.

Don Mueang Airport, the old international airport located about 30 km northeast of Suvarnabhumi Airport, is closed until November 1 st due to flooding . The two domestic airlines operating from Don Mueang, which are Nok Air and Orient Thai Airlines, have temporarily switched their operations to Suvarnabhumi Airport .

And see www.thailandtourismupdate.com for more news and the latest updates.

If you are caught in a flooded area try to keep as far from the water as you can, Remember that all manner of sewerage is floating around in it. If you have any cuts on your feet, don't just wear flip flops, put plastic bags round your feet and tie round the ankle. Try to keep any sores free from bacteria by using antiseptic wipes or cream.

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Our first night in Bangkok was doomed due to a horrendous downpour....one minute you're in 7/11 in the dry, next minute you are taking photos of the monsoon from the shop doorway!

Prepare to get drenched, and be sweating profusely at the same time!

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Like the above tip, this warning relates to what to watch out for when exploring the Soi's (Roads and Lanes) of Bangkok.

What do you get when you match up uneven and worn-out foot paths and roads, with the famous Bangkok evening rain showers? Well, puddles of water that can be quite smelly (due to food stalls nearby) and dirty (due to the constant dust and pollution). If you step into one of these, your shoes and trousers will stink for the rest of the day! It happened to me near the Sala Daeng BTS station.

Not pleasant when you are far away from your hotel and can't get a quick change of clothing. So, do look out for these puddles and mind your step!

Update: Take a tip from the monks and carry an umbrella. It will come in handy no matter whether it rains or shines. : )

When it rains, it pours. It's almost frightening when a storm brews up in Bangkok. Everybody seems to take it calmly though, and you'll see a steady retreat indoors. The street vendors cover their wares with tarps and the already slow traffic slows to a virtual halt.

Be careful choosing your transport during or shortly after the rain. Taxis take an awfully long time and some drivers might be reluctant to take you anywhere anyway. Take the BTS if you can or better still, one of the motos (the riders wear an orange fluro vest and stand at many intersections - there's one in the photo here too).

The wettest month on average in Bangkok is September (319 mm) but there is on average more than 150 mm of rain every month from May to October.

I took this picture after a Thai lesson. It wasn't raining when I entered the building but in the space of two hours, it came down in a torrent and then fined up.

This isn't really a risk or a danger but I thought i would mention the rain somewhere and here seemed a good place as any.
It rains when ever it wants in Thailand, and when it does it comes down heavy and hard, but for only about 5-10 minutes and then its clear skies again.
This photo was taken after a torrential downpour that lasted about 5 minutes. Luckily I was at the top of Byokie Sky when it happened.