Whipa Storm Alert: Thailand Braces for Torrential Rain and High Seas on July 24, 2025

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has sounded the alarm yet again, marking its 17th alert regarding the relentless tropical storm Whipa. Storm Whipa continues to cast a watery spell over Thailand, unleashing torrents of heavy rain across four distinct regions, leaving no fewer than 19 provinces scrambling for their umbrellas. Residents are being urged to sharpen their storm-safety senses as the potential for floods, flash floods, and sneaky forest runoffs threatens daily routines while the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand roll up their watery sleeves to build waves potentially reaching up to 4 meters high.

As we take a glance at today’s date—July 24—Whipa has momentarily relinquished its title of tropical depression, opting for a more subdued identity as a strong low-pressure area. Like a moody guest overstaying their welcome, it stubbornly lingers over northern Thailand, gently knocking on Laos’s door and flirting with the thought of a Myanmar sojourn between July 25 and 26.

But Whipa isn’t done with its theatrics just yet. The monsoon joins the fray, painting the skies with dark clouds across wide swaths of northern, upper northeastern, western, central, and eastern Thailand. Between July 23 and July 24, residents are reminded to stay alert due to the likelihood of Noah-like rains that could trigger flash floods and forest runoffs, particularly if you fancy living in low-lying areas or near waterways. Today, the 24th of July, the mettle of residents in the northern provinces such as Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, and Phrae, to name a few, will be put to the test. The northeastern, central, and eastern regions are not spared either—all advised to batten down their hatches.

Besides the thunderous downpours fueling residents’ apprehensions, out at sea, the waves in the upper Andaman are flexing their muscles, expected to reach heights between 2 to 4 meters. Those braving the stormy waters of the upper Gulf are also in for a wild ride, with the tempest adding its twist: in areas gripped by thunderstorms, the waves could crash upwards of 4 meters. Mariners are urged to skedaddle to safer waters, while small boats take a continued hiatus ashore till July 25.

The vigilant few are on standby for potential evacuations, tuning into the latest weather warnings from TMD—the saviors with updates just a website visit or a phone call away, operating unfailingly 24/7. Greenhorns and seasoned sailors alike can reach out at http://www.tmd.go.th or dial 0-2399-4012-13 or 1182 for the latest scoop.

Apart from weather woes, other news from Thailand keeps the grapevine buzzing. A sneaky kratom juice factory got the boot in Nakhon Ratchasima, while another Thai soldier had an unfortunate tango with a landmine along the Thai-Cambodian border. Not to be outdone, heart-stopping antics in Pattaya included a fracas involving a ladyboy and a plastered foreigner. Meanwhile, Phuket is dealing with heartbreak of its own, mourning the loss of a young Aussie tourist.

From tropical storms to local dramas, Thailand never retreats into the mundane. Whipa, with its high seas and sky-high tensions, weaves itself into the daily fabric, adding a touch of dramatic whimsy to daily life and newscasts alike.