Thailand: Americans advised to avoid Bangkok, other flooded areas

Americans are being advised to avoid traveling to Bangkok and other areas of central and northern Thailand, where unusually heavy monsoons since mid-July have caused deadly floods.

“Severe flooding has hampered transportation and limited access to some essential services in the affected regions,” says a U.S. State Department travel alert issued Thursday.

The alert singled out Bangkok as well as the provinces of Sukhothai, Pichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singhburi, Angthong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Lopburi, Sara Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Pracheen Buri, Chacherngsao, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Kamphang Peth, and Tak.

It also noted popular tourist destinations Phuket and Chiang Mai have been unaffected by the floods.

The State Department had received reports of shortages of bottled water and some food items in Bangkok, and said transportation and electricity disruptions were expected in the city. Don Muang Airport, which handles domestic flights, shut down but the main international airport Suvarnabhumi remains open. The alert expires Jan. 26.

Thousands were fleeing Bangkok on Friday because they feared the city’s Chao Praya River would overflow its banks, media reports say. The death toll since the rains began stands at 377 -- and rains are expected to continue several more weeks.

“Television footage showed cars and trucks bumper-to-bumper leaving the city and the main airport’s departure lounges packed, but the traffic department said it could not put an exact figure on the size of the Bangkok exodus because much of its monitoring equipment was under water,” Reuters reported.

Thai Airways, United and Delta have waived change fees for ticketed passengers traveling in or out of the area.