The slowest of all disasters, the flooding in Bangkok continues to creep its way southward, muscling its way into what constitutes central Bangkok. The spring tides (cyclical tides that are higher than normal) have abated for the time being; in many communities along the Chao Phraya River the cycle of inundation followed by drainage has … read the full post

After looking at the background to the Kayan or “Long Neck Karen”, we’ll now deal with the question of “Should you visit the Kayan or “Long Neck Karen” by looking at some of the specific pros and cons, and arguments for and against visiting the villages where these people live. For us, one of the … read the full post

With fingers and toes crossed, it looks like Bangkok may have dodged the worst of the floods. Yes, upcountry has been hammered in order to save Bangkok, many lives have sadly been lost, and we imagine or at least hope for significant debate on the approach taken by and priorities of the Thai government. But … read the full post

So far, Bangkok’s central business district has fared well compared to the outskirts of the capital and many other provinces suffering the floods that have swept through the kingdom over the past few months. Limited tidal flooding has occurred along the Chao Phraya river and a few of the canals that crisscross the city, while … read the full post

As the tide swells and Bangkok empties of noodles, condoms, and now people, tourists have been advised to plan around the floods. The US Embassy issued a travel alert on Thursday, while the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has now advised against all but essential travel to Bangkok (see our thoughts on that here). … read the full post

There’s plenty of travel advice to Thailand floating around in light of the current flooding. Here we’re not going to offer any new tips, but rather attempt to put some of the existing information into perspective. We’re somewhat put out, though hardly surprised, by some of the Western media’s rather sensational coverage and here’s an … read the full post

The situation in and around Bangkok has deteriorated further with Friday night and Saturday morning suggested as the latest “mega-flood” days. At the same time The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has now advised “against all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok and the 26 provinces in Thailand affected by flooding.” So … read the full post

With near saturation media coverage of the flooding in Thailand and particularly Bangkok, an increasingly common refrain among either those stuck here or abroad is “How can I help?” Here are some suggestions on how you can do your little bit to help Thailand get through the current crisis, or, if you’re arriving over the … read the full post

Another day, another flood update for travellers. High tide is about to peak in Bangkok, and nobody is really sure how bad the inundation is about to be. Read on for a quick update on where things are at for now — it’s looking like as far as possible, travellers should plan to leave Bangkok, … read the full post

by James Fahn* While the rest of the world watches in dread as the flood waters encircle Bangkok, Thais and other residents of the kingdom have quite understandably taken to wondering who or what is responsible for the Damoclean deluge they’re now facing. The search for a scapegoat is entirely predictable, but in this case … read the full post