Heavy Rain Floods Pattaya Streets, Halts Traffic
Heavy rain and strong winds flooded Pattaya streets Thursday night, trapping vehicles and causing traffic congestion across the city as water levels reached 10-60 centimetres on major roads.
CHONBURI — Heavy rain and strong winds battered Pattaya for more than two hours on Thursday night, causing widespread flooding and severe traffic congestion across the city.
The Meteorological Department's seventh warning on heavy to very heavy rain said the conditions would affect Thailand through 13 September. On 10 September, rain was expected to continue nationwide, with heavy rain in several areas and very heavy rain possible in parts of western upper northern Thailand, the lower Northeast, the Central Plains, Bangkok and its surrounding areas, and the East.
The latest weather conditions were reported at 22:36 on 10 September, when heavy rain and strong wind gusts were recorded in Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.
In Pattaya, floodwater rose to around 10-60 centimetres on several roads, particularly in areas that regularly flood after more than an hour of continuous rain. Affected locations included the railway road between Soi Khao Talo and Soi Wat Tham Samakkhi, both sides of Soi Wat Boon Samphan, Soi Khao Talo, Third Road near the Phaniat Chang intersection, also known as the Mum Aroi intersection, and Sukhumvit Road in South Pattaya.
Water levels showed no immediate sign of falling as rain continued to add to the flooding. The flooding disrupted commuters and slowed traffic, with congestion stretching for several kilometres. Some vehicles were damaged after floodwater entered their engines, leaving drivers unable to continue.
Pattaya city officials, who had prepared for the recurring flooding, deployed measures to assist motorists and residents. Road sections with dangerously high floodwater were blocked with metal barriers to prevent vehicles from entering. At locations where traffic could still pass, officials advised drivers of higher-clearance vehicles that they could proceed, while smaller vehicles were urged to avoid the flooded areas. Officials also helped motorists who were unable to avoid the flooded routes and whose vehicles became stranded or damaged move out of the danger zones.
