Pattaya flood: Banglamung under water - where not to go and where it's dry
The Banglamung canal burst its banks on September 26: up to 1.5 m of water inside homes and up to a metre on roads in Pattaya itself. Which streets to avoid, where it's dry, what's happening at sea and how to rent a winter flat that won't flood.
The Pattaya flood hit Banglamung hardest. On September 26 the Banglamung canal burst its banks and water poured into hundreds of homes in Tha Kradan, Nong Sadao and Ban Thung Krad - Nong Manao. Water inside houses reached 1.5 metres, on roads about a metre. Locals say they haven't seen water like this in 30 years.
This is not the tourist centre: the flooded villages lie north-east of Naklua, towards Laem Chabang. But the city itself was also under water after the downpours of September 23-25: up to 50 cm on many streets and up to a metre in low-lying areas.
Where not to go while it's pouring:
1. Third Road and Sukhumvit inside the city - water collects here first.
2. The road along the railway by Wat Tham Samakkhi and the Khao Noi - Khao Talo area in East Pattaya.
3. Soi Buakhao, South and Central Pattaya Road, Beach Road - during downpours.
4. Highway 331 towards Laem Chabang and Sri Racha - traffic jams stretched for kilometres, and more than 200 homes were evacuated in Sri Racha.
Where it's dry: Pratumnak Hill between South Pattaya and Jomtien. It's the highest part of the city, rainwater doesn't pool there and runs downhill. When the rain eases, head up to the Big Buddha - you can see the whole bay from there.
The rain isn't over: forecasters expect heavy downpours in the east of the country, including Chonburi, until October 3, with waves in the gulf reaching 2-3 metres. Pattaya's marine office has banned boats, speedboats and jet skis from going out to sea, and red flags are up on the beaches. Better not to plan Koh Larn or sea tours for the next few days.
If you ride a scooter, remember: its air intake sits low, and water up to the middle of the wheel can stall it. Potholes and open drains are invisible under water. On rainy days it's safer to rent a car - from 1,250 baht a day, an international licence is required. If your bike has already been in water, here is our guide. Even in a car, don't drive into water deeper than half a wheel.
If you're choosing a place to stay for the winter:
1. Check the soi, not just the flat - ask security or neighbours whether water stands here after rain.
2. A ground floor or underground parking in a low-lying area is a risk. A higher floor and covered above-ground parking are safer.
3. Dry areas are Pratumnak and other high ground, not the streets by the canals in the east and north.
Flats with covered parking on Pratumnak and in other areas can be found in our catalogue, and you can message the owner in chat right away.
Emergency numbers: disaster hotline 1784 (free, 24/7), ambulance 1669, tourist police 1155 (English spoken).
If you're flying out via Bangkok, the capital is flooded too and the trip to the airports now takes longer. Details in a separate news story. From Pattaya to the airport, a door-to-door transfer is more reliable than hunting for a taxi on a flooded street.
Forward this to friends who are in Pattaya right now or looking for a flat for the winter: that way they won't ride a bike into knee-deep water or sign a lease in a low-lying soi.
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