Wednesday 28 October

Chao Phraya River winding upstream with towers on both banks

Weather

Tidal flood alert covers Bangkok riverside until 5 November

The alert also covers Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and parts of four nearby provinces. Communities outside flood walls, or where flood defences have gaps, face the most risk.

High tides flooded homes and walkways at Amphawa floating market on 28 October, and officials said more tidal floods could hit Bangkok until 5 November.

Why it matters: riverside Bangkok, Amphawa and the Maeklong railway market draw visitors every day, and the tides peak between 6am and 3pm.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation’s alert runs from 27 October and follows a notice from the Navy Hydrographic Department.

In Samut Songkhram the tide reached about 3.8 metres, Daily News said. Water stood 30 to 40 centimetres deep in Maeklong market and up to 20 centimetres on parts of the railway. Long-time Amphawa residents said the canal rose higher than they had seen in decades.

Floating restaurants have been told to watch water levels closely.

What to do Before 5 November, plan riverside and canal-side visits for after 3pm, and check with your boat operator or hotel before you go.

Transport

Bangkok bus operator considers flat 15-baht fare

The 1,520 leased electric buses will replace the red-and-cream fleet on 60 routes from March 2027, and the idea depends on the government covering the revenue lost.

Bangkok’s bus operator is considering a flat 15-baht fare on the electric buses replacing its eight-baht fleet, its director said on 27 October.

Why it matters: the eight-baht buses without air conditioning are being retired, so fares on those routes will rise either way. A flat fare would keep the rise to seven baht. It has not been formally proposed or approved.

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will bring in the new buses in stages, with the first 500 due in March 2027 and the rest by May 2027. Under the scale for air-conditioned buses they would charge 15, 20 or 25 baht.

The director said a flat fare depends on Transport Ministry policy and on the government covering the lost revenue. He said holders of the State Welfare Card, which is for low-income Thai nationals, could get help with fares.

In brief

Visas & entryImmigration revokes Koh Phangan visitor's visa.
The 33-year-old Israeli woman, accused in complaints of threatening national park officers and abusing hotel staff, is being held in Surat Thani until she is deported, reports said on 27 October. Immigration also wants her blacklisted; her response has not been reported.
TravelBangkok temple guide charged with working without a licence.
The Thai woman was leading Belgian tourists at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen on 24 October and got the work through a local sub-agent of a global booking site, officials said. They are checking whether the sub-agent could face charges for hiring her.
TravelKhao San Road expects up to 60,000 for Halloween.
Organisers said the street event runs from 5pm on 30 and 31 October. About 50 to 60 businesses there are generally licensed to close at midnight, and no decision has been announced on the business association’s request to let them open until 4am.
Lighter sidePhitsanulok residents wear Thai dress for ID card photos.
City officials said traditional dress is allowed in the photos as long as shoulders are covered and no tall chada headdress, hat or dark glasses are worn. The city gives a souvenir to anyone who turns up in it, and the Culture Ministry has backed the trend.

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