Rain, pot plants cause havoc

Published on July 14, 2005

Bangkok traffic was mired in chaos yesterday morning following hours of widespread rain throughout the capital.

Most of the city’s main thoroughfares were inundated and traffic flows were slowed to almost a standstill. At some intersections, motorists had to wait for more than 30 minutes to move at all.

Inner-city areas and roads along the Chao Phya River were the worst affected.

More than 10 hours of heavy rain and the resulting flooding caused many commuters to arrive late for work. Roadside houses were flooded and many occupants were seen bailing floodwater from their shophouses using whatever utensils they could find.

Even the Government House compound was heavily flooded – with water levels topping 30 centimetres in some areas – unprecedented for the enclosure. Heavy flooding forced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s vehicle to move from its usual parking spot to higher ground.

Government House officials and reporters were forced to carry their shoes while wading through shin-deep floodwaters.

Then cars started breaking down, creating more congestion, as traffic police pushed lame vehicles out of the way.

Floating potted plants, which had been used as traffic-island decorations, became another obstacle in the already slow-flowing traffic, and a source of amusement for onlookers in an otherwise stressful situation.