Pattaya Flood Chaos: Torrential Rain Sweeps Away 20 Motorbikes

Yesterday’s relentless deluge in Pattaya left both tourists and locals high and dry—quite literally—as what is fondly referred to as Thailand’s Sin City transformed into a vast, unwieldy mire. This unexpected torrential downpour was no ordinary rain shower but rather a ferocious, unyielding cloudburst, soaking the Bang Lamung district and bringing traffic to a sputtering halt. Over 20 unfortunate motorbikes were swept away by the spirited floodwaters, while the heavens unleashed their fury for over two solid hours the evening of July 1st.

In a scene akin to the set of a disaster movie, water levels surged ominously, reaching anywhere between 20 and 70 centimeters and rendering entire roads impassable for the bravehearted or foolhardy drivers who dared to defy the elements. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), quick to issue a foreboding forecast, cautioned of looming thunderstorms and heavy rains expected to drench 60-70% of the region from July 1st through July 2nd. With winds whipping by and sea waves predicted to rise up to 2 meters in tempestuous zones, few, if any, foresaw the genuine pandemonium that unfolded.

Predictably problematic locales vanished almost instantaneously beneath the rising waters: Railway Road, Third Road, known locally as Chaloem Phrakiat, the Mum Aroi junction, and the infamous Sukhumvit Road by the Highway Police Station, alongside its encompassing sois, were swallowed whole by the murky depths. Traffic police took charge, valiantly directing and blocking access to motorbikes and small cars, yet some drivers shrugged off these sage warnings and decided to test their luck against Mother Nature. “More than ten motorbikes were swept away by the current,” an exasperated officer reported.

Another sorrowful sight was ten parked scooters, the unsung victims of surge-driven waters gushing downhill from elevated terrain. Despite the water’s voracity, the silver lining, if there was one, remained that no injuries were reported amidst this aquatic melee. Authorities implore both residents and tourists to steer clear of flood-prone areas and to remain vigilant, specifically once darkness blankets the city, given that forecasts predict continued rain.

Looking towards the horizon, from July 3rd through the 7th, a slight letup in wind speeds and wave heights might offer some respite, though thunderstorms may still play the part of celestial disruptors. Temperatures are set to hover between a cozy 23-28°C under the cloak of night, climbing to a toasty 29-35°C with the day’s dawning light. Meanwhile, the TMD has cast a wide net of severe weather warnings over 47 provinces including the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, where heavy rainfall is anticipated to plague 70% of these regions, sparking risks of flash floods, treacherous forest run-offs, and potentially perilous landslides.

For the soggy city of Pattaya, the current state remains akin to a bustling waterpark, albeit sans the enjoyment, showcasing the age-old adage that truly, when it rains, it pours. Wandering through its tumultuous streets, one can’t help but feel that beneath the surface lies a story of resilient souls and clumsy daredevils, of people battling the odds armed with umbrellas and galoshes, all chronicled by the relentless rains of nature’s whimsical folly.