Expert warns that the worst rain for Bangkok is yet to come
September 12, 2022
views 992
Share Post
A special lecturer at the Graduate School of Environmental Development Administration at the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), Dr. Sunt Srianthumrong, warned today (Monday) that the worst of the rain for Bangkok this year is yet to come. The capital and its suburbs were lashed by heavy downpours, measured at over 120mm in 24 hours, for six days between August 1st and September 10th.
Displaying graphs of rainfall exceeding 120mm in 24 hours from 2017 to 2022, he said that there was only one day in2020 when rainfall exceeded 120mm, two days in 2021 and, so far, six days this year.
Average seven-day rainfall between August 1stand September 10th this year was 99.9mm, which was the highest in Bangkok and its suburbs in six years. The most worrisome aspect of this trend is that the worst rain of this year may not have arrived yet, said Dr. Sunt, as he warned that people in Bangkok will face extreme weather more often in the future as global warming gets worse.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, meanwhile, issued a warning to city dwellers on its Facebook page today of rain from 5pm until 8pm, especially in the Don Mueang, Sai Mai, Klong Sam Wa, Lak Si, Bang Khen, Chatuchak and Lat Phrao areas.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said that water levels in the Lat Phrao and Prem Prachakon canals have dropped by 50cm and 30cm respectively this morning, but the levels in the Lat Krabang and Prawet Buri Ram canals have not fallen.
He did, however, express optimism that situation in the Prawet Buri Ram canal will improve after water levels in the Lat Phrao and Prem Prachakon canals have dropped.
A panoramic view shows a long-tail boat speeding along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Apichart Jinakul
The impact of flooding in 21 provinces nationwide is expected to slow tourism activities in the third quarter and corporate travel in particular, while pent-up demand from delayed trips might cause congestion in the final quarter.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the third quarter was normally the peak time for corporate trips such as CSR outing tour groups and incentives because hotel prices during this season were remarkably low and could match their budget.
Meanwhile, state agencies have to use their remaining budget by Sept 30, which marks the end of the current fiscal year.
"Some corporate groups have already cancelled or postponed their trips this month which mostly impacted destinations in the East and the Central region. Even though agriculture is the hardest hit sector, tourism in many places could be affected as purchasing power has decreased significantly," said Mr Yuthasak.
Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chon Bur, Chanthaburi, Samut Songkram, Ratchaburi, and Hua Hin and Cha-am in Prachuap Khiri Khan face the biggest impact from trip cancellations.
According to TAT's risk assessment gathered from its offices in five regions, heavy rainfall which has burdened floodwater drainage hampered travel in many parts of the country, such as Khao Chamao National Park in Rayong that advised tourists to avoid swimming in the waterfall.
Meanwhile, a camping site in Chanthaburi urged travellers to refrain from outdoor activities like trekking and camping.
For the North, if downpours mostly occur in areas that have reservoirs to contain water flow, the impact might be minimal as dams in this region still have the capacity to absorb downstream flow.
However, this region still needs close monitoring as it is forecast to receive an estimated rainfall 10-20% above average in October.
The Northeast and the South still have to be cautious about possible flooding this month, particularly river basins and hill slopes which risk flash floods.
At present, more than 16 provinces in the Northeast along the Mun and Chi rivers have a total of 412,462 rai of agricultural land inundated.
With a surge of local and international tourists expected during the high season, Thailand could face tourism density in many areas which requires well-prepared management and strategies to lure tourism activities away from main destinations.
January to August saw 102.9 million domestic trips which generated 566 billion baht.
The TAT remains confident with the target of 160 million domestic trips with revenue of 656 billion baht, mainly driven by a robust market in the fourth quarter.
"We are closely following the situation and concerned that Thailand has started to feel more impact from La Nina, which has caused high rainfall and flash floods," said Mr Yuthasak.
Traffic congestion begins on the outbound side of Phahon Yothin Road near Lat Phrao intersection in Chatuchak district as rain pounded Bangkok on Monday evening. (Photo: Onnucha Hutasingh)
Downpours caused flooding of many streets in inner Bangkok on Monday evening, with the weather forecast for heavy rain to continue nationwide until Sunday.
At 5pm floodwater was about 24 centimetres deep on Din Daeng and Sri Ayutthaya roads, 18cm on Thesaban Songkhro and Sena Nikhom roads and 15-16cm on Ratchada-Lat Phrao, Banthat Thong, Pradiphat, Suthiphon 2, Inthamara 53 and Sailom roads.
Flood levels ranged from 11-14cm on Pracha Songkhro, Thiam Ruam Mit, Kamphaeng Phet 3 and Phahon Yothin (in Saphan Khwai area) roads.
Floodwater was shallower at 3-9cm deep on sections of Ngam Wong Wan, Suthisan, Chaeng Wattana, Phahon Yothin (Kaset intersection), the outbound side of Vibhavadi, Ratchadaphisek (in front of the Chinese embassy) and Phetchaburi roads.
The Meteorological Department said a monsoon trough over the lower North, the upper Central Plain, the lower Northeast and the East would bring persistent and heavy rain in some areas in all regions including 70% of Greater Bangkok from Monday evening to Tuesday evening.
The weather conditions would continue until Wednesday.
From Thursday to Sunday the monsoon over the Andaman Sea, the country and the Gulf of Thailand would be stronger and bring more heavy rain nationwide.
The flooded Chokchai 4 market in Wang Thonglang district on Monday evening. (Photo: Thana Boonlert)
Key consideration now according to Tony Fernandes is the momentum of growing numbers which generates income for the economy including taxes for the government. Mr Fernandes felt that the fee, at this time, may hinder efforts to attract more visitors and to establish more flight links with Thailand.
A top airline executive is urging the Thai government to put off further the proposed Thailand Tourism Fee (TTF) which was postponed from August to later in the year. The levy which is to be collected by airlines flying into Thailand from passengers was put on hold after a top Tourism Ministry official said it was not clear yet how it would apply to visitors arriving by sea and by land. The levy was recommended by a special panel in 2019 to provide extra resources for tourism infrastructure and to introduce automatic health and medical insurance for holidaymakers in the case of an emergency in the kingdom.
Mr Tony Fernandes, acting Chief Executive Officer of Thai Air Asia X which is planning to fly routes between Australia and Thailand in December and to connect central European countries to the kingdom next year. Mr Fernandes has advised the government to postpone further the Thailand Tourism Fee (TTF) of ฿300 due to be introduced later this year and collected from airline passengers bound for Thailand by the flight carriers for the government. He suggested that the operational impact of the fee would be counterproductive for the Thai economy in this critical year.
A top Thai airline executive has called on the government not to go ahead with the proposed ฿300 tourism levy in the short term as the kingdom's foreign tourism industry is beginning to gain momentum and could be sensitive to any changes at this time.
Thailand is understood to have welcomed 4.3 million visitors in the opening eight months of the year although the kingdom still posted a substantial $4.1 billion current account deficit for July 2022 as its economy, like others in the world, labours under elevated energy costs and reduced export growth as national economies reel from the disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine, higher interest rates and reduced demand.
Levy in the pipeline since 2019 and comes with a key benefit: automatic medical insurance for visitors
The new levy known as the Thailand Tourism Fee (TTF), has been in the pipeline, in its current format, since 2019 and follows earlier attempts to introduce such a fee over previous decades.
The tourism fee was supposed to come into effect in August but the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, weeks before, announced that it was being postponed until later in the year.
Mongkon Wimonrat, the permanent secretary at the ministry, cited administrative concerns in July for the ongoing hiatus over the introduction of the measure.
There have also been reports that many of the airlines flying into Thailand, although by law, legally obliged to collect the fee, are not happy with the anticipated extra administrative work required to collect it from each passenger flying to Thailand.
Plan broadly welcomed because of the insurance benefit but is resisted by airlines who are tasked with its collection from inbound passengers to Thailand
The Thailand Tourism Fee (TTF) itself has been recommended by industry experts because it will introduce automatic medical insurance coverage for all visitors while in the kingdom, a facet of the moderate fee that has been widely welcomed although it is thought only ฿34 of it will be spent on this provision.
The medical insurance coverage provided is limited to ฿500,000 or $13,661 and does not cover an emergency evacuation of injured foreigners from Thailand, a key criticism of industry observers.
This week, Mr Tony Fernandes, the acting Chief Executive Officer of Air Asia X, the long haul arm of the popular budget carrier that is currently undergoing a rehabilitation process through the Central Bankruptcy Court in Bangkok, said his airline stands ready to implement the new tax as it is legally bound to do under flight regulations.
Airline executive feels the tax right now could be counterproductive to the country's interests
However, he urged the government to hold off at this time so as not to impede the gradual recovery of foreign tourist numbers which is vital to the economy.
Mr Fernandes acknowledged that the fee itself at $8 or $9 was relatively insignificant to holidaymakers but suggested that the potential negative consequences from introducing the charge on short-term numbers may be counterproductive for the Thai economy which is so dependent on foreign tourism to thrive, particularly this year.
Thailand's foreign tourism industry accounts directly for 12% of GDP but some analysts estimate that up to 25% of the country's real economy is linked to the flow of foreign nationals and the money they bring into the kingdom.
Operational impact of the charge on this year's tourism drive would far outweigh any funding gain
He said that the negative economic impact of the levy would far outweigh the benefits of any funding it generates for the government given the taxes and income derived from foreign tourist spending.
This year there is mounting concern for the long-term future of the foreign tourism industry as the amount of money the average incoming tourist is spending is 12% less than in 2019 with more visitors from within Southeast Asia and fewer long-haul travellers to Bangkok and Phuket international airports.
Thailand needs more inbound flights
This has been a problem acknowledged by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Director-general Yuthasak Supasorn who in recent months has estimated that the kingdom only has 30% to 33% of the flight capacity seen in 2019 while pointing out that 50% was essential if Thailand is to achieve even its short term objectives as the kingdom targets 10 million visitors for 2022.
Mr Fernandes attributed the slow rebound in Thailand's foreign tourism industry that we are witnessing in 2022 to the scale of the lockdowns imposed by the government previously and the complicated nature of earlier reopening plans.
He noted that since this summer the country has opened and is again fully accessible but that it will take time for the airline industry to ramp up operations to facilitate inbound passengers and help generate demand from long-haul foreign tourists.
Air Asia X plans to link Thailand with key European cities next year such as Prague, Vienna and Budapest
He highlighted Air Asia X's plans to fly to and from European cities such as Prague, Vienna and Budapest in 2023 as well as other prospects which will see more visitors land in the kingdom
'We can restart at the right time as more countries are reopening borders, particularly Japan and South Korea in Northeast Asia, which is our main destination,' he outlined to reporters.
This year, Thai Air Asia X also plans to initiate flights to and from Sydney and Melbourne in Australia this December.
Air Canada to fly 4 times weekly to Bangkok
This will be coming at the same time as direct flights from Vancouver in Canada to Bangkok operated by Air Canada which is also due to commence in December and which will run four times a week using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Mr Fernandes felt that the government should wait until the foreign tourism industry is sufficiently recovered before introducing the new levy or charge given the higher prices of airfares now on the market due to higher fuel prices.
'Though the amount of money is insignificant, all of us in the industry know that even the slightest change could directly impact travel demand. The income that tourists bring is far greater than a fee of $8 or $9 per head,' he explained.
The world is moving on from the Covid-19 pandemic, but face masks are still popular in Thailand. You might see people on domestic flights in Thailand wearing masks, but are they mandatory?
The Thai government made face masks "voluntary" back in June but still recommends wearing them in crowded spaces. The news was published in the Royal Gazette and said…
"The wearing of a mask is a voluntary practice from now onwards so that people can now live closer to normal conditions. The Ministry of Public Health only recommends that the general public wear a mask when living with other people in a crowded place, in areas where there is a large gathering of people where they can't maintain social distancing, or in a poorly ventilated place, to reduce the risk of transmission of infection."
Some places, like the BTS Sky Train in Bangkok, ask passengers to wear face masks on the train, and most people comply. However, it is not a lawful requirement. If you are against wearing a face mask on the BTS, you wouldn't get fined, imprisoned or kicked off – but you might get some disapproving looks from fellow passengers.
Planes are considered the same. It is not a lawful requirement to wear face masks on domestic flights, but a few airlines still recommend them. Some airlines may push for mask-wearing more than others.
Bangkok Airlines
Bangkok Airlines told The Thaiger…
"We would like to inform you that wearing face masks is not a requirement on Bangkok Airways flights. Furthermore, we do not require any Covid Test result or vaccination to be presented anymore."
Thai Smile
Thai Smile told The Thaiger…
"Face masks are not a requirement, but we recommend wearing them during the flight."
A passenger flying with Thai Smile told the Thaigerthat mask-wearing was recommended but "not hyper enforced while on the plane."
AirAsia
On AirAsia flights, the cabin crew are likely to ask passengers, "Please wear a face mask unless you're eating." However, one mask-opposing AirAsia passenger told The Thaiger…
"Flew AirAsia for the past three weeks multiple times. I did not wear a mask and was not asked to wear a mask. They do however announce on the speaker system "Please wear a mask at all times," but we didn't and nothing happened."
Nok Air
Similarly, Nok Air flight recommends wearing face masks while flying, but it is not a requirement.
Thai Lion Air
Again, Thai Lion Air recommends but doesn't require, the use of face masks on domestic flights in Thailand.
Thai VietJet
Thai VietJet recommends wearing a face mask during flights, but it is not a lawful requirement.
Thai Airways
The nation's flag carrier, which serves both domestic and international flights, recommends but doesn't enforce the use of face masks.
One passenger flying from the UK to Bangkok with Thai Airways told The Thaiger…
"From the moment I boarded the plane until now, I haven't worn a mask or been asked to wear one. On the flight, it was only Thais wearing them and the odd non-Thai. Same at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Bangkok's heaviest rains in over two decades are pushing its canals to the brink. The downpours started Tuesday evening, overwhelming the canals. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said Bang Khen district has reported 170 millimetres of rain since Tuesday, which has been the highest amount in 20 years.
Klong Lat Phrao and Kong Prem Prachakon canals have seen water levels rising to the point of causing massive flooding. The Bang Khen roundabout and areas surrounding the new, electric train route tracks have all flooded. The governor has attributed part of the flooding to the new tracks as drainage has slowed.
He says the government is doing the best it can to drain the flood waters off the roads, but high water levels at the canals have made it difficult. Chardchart is urging motorists to plan trips around the weather, as he says poor planning has caused many motorists to get stuck in flooded areas.
"With so many cars stuck in these areas, even military trucks deployed to help flood victims couldn't reach them in time. These lessons have been learned and we hope to make [our response] better."
The governor has advised Bang Khen, Lat Phrao, Don Muang, and Chatuchak residents to stay alert as more heavy rain is expected.
Yesterday at 8.45 pm, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt live-streamed flooding in the Bang Khen district via Facebook. Chadchart walked to the flooded area from Wat Phra Sri Mahathat BTS Station to offer help to those caught in the floods.
Governor Chadchart, in a fluorescent yellow jacket, got knee-deep in the floods to help push stranded vehicles through the water.
Minister of Defense Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered all military units in Bangkok to distribute water pumps and help to drain floodwater last night, as well as provide assistance to victims of the flood in Bangkok and its vicinity.
The public is posting photos, videos and updates about the floods under the Twitter hashtag #น้ำท่วม (#flood).
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are expected to continue until Friday all over Thailand, according to the Thai Meteorological Department.
Meanwhile, the Thai Cabinet yesterday approved a budget of almost 1.6 billion to deal with Thailand's perpetual flood problems. Some 912 million baht has been set aside for water management during the rainy and drought seasons while 664 million baht has been allocated for new water pumps.
Thailand's Charter Court asks for more information on PM's term case
views 497
The Constitutional Court is scheduled to meet again on September 14th, to discuss the 8-year term in office of suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, after it instructed the secretary-general of the House of Representatives to submit additional information by the end of next Tuesday.
According to a press release from the Office of the Constitutional Court, they are seeking the meeting minutes and report of the 501st meeting of the Constitution Drafting Committee, dated September 11th, 2018, from the secretary-general of the House.
The agenda of the meeting on September 11th, 2018 includes an item on the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting of the committee, said the press release.
The nine Constitutional Court justices met today (Thursday) to discuss term in office matter, but the outcome was inconclusive, with the justices requiring more information.
The secretary-general of the Constitutional Court has said previously that there is no set timeline indicating when the court will issue its ruling.
A 300 baht tourist tax now is akin to shooting yourself in the foot.
The decision of the Thai government to introduce a 300 baht (US$8) entry tax on foreign tourists from early next year is proving increasingly contentious. The main political opposition party Pheu Thai has already condemned the notion as pointless and unworkable. According to a report in the Bangkok Post, Air Asia X has now criticized the tax as unnecessary as the key to future tourism is a growing number of arrivals rather than financial penalties for choosing Thailand as a holiday destination.
One of the many imponderables about the proposed tax is how it will be collected. Airlines could include the extra 300 baht in tickets, but the tax does not apply to Thai nationals or to foreigners, such as work permit holders, who pay into the country's social security system. Diplomats are also believed to be exempt. Several European airlines voiced these practical concerns when asked to participate in a pilot earlier in the year.
It is also unclear how the cash would be collected at Thai land borders where lengthy queues are already common, even without the grim prospect of tax collection in many currencies either in cash or via credit cards. Thai authorities have justified the tax as necessary to provide medical insurance for tourists, but no details have been forthcoming. Most of the cash, it was later revealed, would be spent on repairing tourist infrastructure.
Revenue from tourism contributes around 17 percent of Thailand's GDP. Outside of government circles, the consensus now is to encourage more international visitors in an era when neighboring countries are pulling out all the stops to expand their own attractions to foreign arrivals. The Manchester-based Exotic Travel described the 300 baht idea as "shooting yourself in the foot".
Not only is Thailand planning on increasing existing tax on all types of alcohol, but it also plans on applying alcohol tax to non-alcoholic beer, according to Director-General of the Revenue Department Ekniti Nitithanprapas.
Ekniti said that the department will increase tax on all types of alcohol, in the fiscal year 2023, to help combat alcoholism among Thailand's youth. More and more young Thais are drinking heavily, so the price hike aims to reduce alcohol consumption and improve the overall health of the public, he said.
The sincerity of Ekniti's concern for the public's health is questionable at best because he also said that the department will start taxing beer containing 0% alcohol. He said that the younger generation is showing more interest in non-alcoholic beer, so it should be taxed.
Surely, non-alcoholic beer should remain tax-free if the goal is to reduce alcohol consumption among young Thais?
Ekniti also said tax on e-cigarettes would be increased, according to KhaoSod. Seeing as E-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand, it is unclear how the tax will be applied, or is already being applied to 'vapes.' Unless Thailand is planning to legalise vaping anytime soon.
Just last week, the government reconfirmedtheir firm stance on the E-cigarette ban. Pro-marijuana Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that vaping poses a major health risk, especially to young people, who account for more than half of all e-cigarette users.
Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, as the defence minister, visits the Impact convention and exhibition complex in Nonthaburi province on Aug 29 to open the Defense and Security 2022 fair. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
The possibility that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha will remain as prime minister until 2025 was under discussion on Tuesday, after a document believed to be from Meechai Ruchuphan, former chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), indicated that Gen Prayut's eight-year tenure as prime minister began in 2017.
According to the written statement released on social media, Gen Prayut's tenure started on April 6, 2017, the day the current constitution took effect. Therefore, Gen Prayut's prime ministerial status before that date would not apply.
However, media reports noted that Mr Meechai's previously released documents on the prime minister's tenure was incomplete and not verified.
Mr Meechai is among the three people whose statements were needed by the charter court in the process of its ruling on Gen Prayut's tenure in office. Others are Gen Prayut and former CDC secretary Pakorn Nilprapunt.
The court was expected to consider the issue this Thursday.
Gen Prayut is now working in his concurrent capacity as the defence minister, with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon serving as the acting prime minister pending the court's ruling.
Mr Meechai was unavailable for any confirmation of the media reports on Tuesday.
Maj Gen Veera Rojanavas, one of the advisers to the prime minister, said on Tuesday that he did not expect the Constitutional Court to quickly reach its ruling this Thursday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Gen Prayut's issue would not pose any problem, and the government would complete its normal term on March 22 next year.
