PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya was hit by a day of increasingly difficult weather conditions on September 23, with torrential rain bringing widespread flooding while motorists faced accidents, vehicle breakdowns, fallen trees, power disruptions and dangerous conditions on the roads.
The problems came quickly after heavy rain swept across the city around midday. Floodwater rose rapidly at several known trouble spots, reaching close to one meter in some areas and forcing authorities to close roads to smaller vehicles.
Sukhumvit Road and several routes across Pattaya were affected, while the railway road near Wat Tham Samakkhi in East Pattaya was also closed because of accumulated water. City officials and police were deployed to control traffic, while tow trucks stood ready to deal with vehicles unable to continue. The difficult conditions were not limited to flooding. Thunderstorms brought the risk of lightning, while wet and slippery roads added to the danger of motorcycle accidents and vehicle breakdowns. Fallen trees and electricity disruptions added another layer of difficulty for residents and motorists trying to get around the city.
The result was a familiar but increasingly disruptive Pattaya weather picture: flooded roads, stranded vehicles, traffic restrictions, darkened streets and emergency crews moving from one problem to another. The timing is particularly concerning because the bad weather is not expected to disappear quickly. The Meteorological Department has warned that the eastern region will experience heavy rain in many areas and very heavy rain in some places from September 24-27. The warning also calls for caution over flash floods and accumulated water in low-lying areas.
For Pattaya, the next few days could therefore bring repeated disruption if heavy downpours continue before already flooded areas have fully drained. Residents and visitors are advised to avoid flooded roads, slow down in heavy rain, stay away from fallen power lines and trees, and avoid travelling through areas where water levels are rising.
