As the afternoon sun bade farewell on this bustling Friday, Chadchart took to the streets to provide an update on the atmospheric antics playing out over Bangkok. With the weather seemingly synchronized to arrive just as the city hit rush hour — coupled with the first day back to school, no less — it was an evening poised for high drama and soggy shoes.
A formidable tempest had already unleashed its watery wrath earlier on, draping the city in sheets of rain. The starring role this wet afternoon went to the Bang Na district, boasting itself as the recipient of a drenching 62 millimetres of rainfall over a rather sodden three-hour span. With another round of showers queuing up for their curtain call later in the evening, it was an appropriate time to advise everyone to finetune their travel plans.
Mother Nature cast her damp net over Bang Na and extended it over Prawet and Phra Khanong districts, launching a northbound expedition towards Bang Khen, Lak Si, Don Mueang, and Sai Mai. With such a widespread wetness, it was hardly surprising that a tactical approach to navigating the city was recommended.
The three-hour prognosis from 2 p.m. on Friday had optimistically charted this storm’s exit from Bangkok, with expectations that the southern downpour would stage a retreat. Reports of slight inundation at two critical junctions — 10 centimetres of water pooling at the entrance of Soi Bearing, and another 15 at the Sri Udom intersection — echoed the cautionary messages of the day.
With Saturday’s skies holding similar intentions of showering throughout the afternoon and evening, there wasn’t much of a silver lining in sight — just grey clouds and glistening streets. It seems the monsoon gatekeeper has flung open the doors wide, as Thailand braces itself for the official commencement of the rainy season.
In true Bangkok spirit, umbrellas are bound to pop open in an array of colors as people dance around puddles, heedless of fleeting inconveniences. Such is life when the rain gods decide that it’s showtime in the city.
I can’t believe the city still struggles with flooding every rainy season! Can’t they plan better?
Honestly, it’s part of the fun! If you live in Bangkok, you learn to swim or sail!
Sure, if you enjoy wet socks and missed appointments. But it’s a nightmare for those who have to commute daily!
Not everyone can afford to miss a day at work just because of rain. City planners need to do better.
Why do people complain about rain in Thailand? It’s a monsoon country, folks!
Exactly! It’s like complaining about the cold in Siberia. Get used to it.
I love Bangkok rains! It’s like the city becomes a musical with puddle dances and all. 😊
I always use rain as an excuse to stay home and binge watch some shows!
Lucky you! Some of us have to brave the elements regardless.
I hear you, Sasha, but we all gotta find our way to make the best of it!
The city needs better drainage systems. It’s 2023, and this is an embarrassing situation for the capital.
Drainage doesn’t fix torrential rain that dumps oceans on us in hours!
No system is perfect, but it wouldn’t hurt to upgrade. Japan handles rain much better.
Rainy season is my favorite! Everything is so fresh and lively afterward.
Good for rice planting! We should see this as an opportunity.
Tourists should be warned. The floods can catch you off guard when you least expect it!
True, Anna! I had a friend who thought the streets were small lakes!
It was chaotic today! The only thing that moves faster than the storm clouds are the food delivery scooters!
Instead of complaining, think of what we can do as individuals to mitigate the impact of rains.
Flooding might be a catalyst for change in infrastructure if enough people complain.
Change doesn’t come easy. Bureaucracy moves slower than those rain clouds!
That might be true, but nothing will change with just apathy.
Does anyone else find the sound of rain relaxing? It’s like a free concert by nature.
All this rain just makes commuting a mess. I wish there were more alternatives.
While the rain is unavoidable, the city can invest in better public transport to ease these problems.
Public transport is great until it’s packed like a sardine can!