Pattaya & Thailand News (28 September 2022) from Fabulous 103fm

Pattaya & Thailand News (28 September 2022) from Fabulous 103fm

Northern provinces are bracing for what is expected to remain a huge storm front, heading towards Thailand.  As tropical storm NORU pushed storms into Neighbouring Cambodia this morning, in Vietnam, where it first came onshore, airports, schools and businesses closed, and in some areas a curfew was introduced while residents in the storm path were recommended to evacuate their homes, as flooding there was predicted at an historic level.  The typhoon is expected to have lowered in strength to a tropical storm by the time it reaches here.

For Thailand, the issue is that she is full.  Full of water, from water tables to reservoirs and rivers, and this storm could well tip the balance for many areas seeing potential flooding at unprecedented levels, along with gale force winds across most of the nation.

Storm and flood warnings have been issued for much of Isaan, across the Central provinces and toward Myanmar.  Water authorities have already opened reservoir dams in preparation of even more river flow INTO overloaded reservoirs and river levels are likely to peak downstream in Bangkok at the weekend.  There, the city has provided a constant supply of sandbags to raise river walls and free of charge to homeowners.

There is likely to be more to this report than currently available to the press, but a Russian couple who trade in property on Samui have told police that, in a strange tale, they were accosted by a Pattaya based gang,  with demands that they pay them 3 million dollars. Whether a property deal gone wrong or a simple falling out, that HASN’T been established but what is claimed did that the couple transferred 50K us as they feared for their lives. 6 men were caught on cctv meeting the duo, and police believe that THEY came from the Pattaya region, and have demanded even more cash.  Now 4 of the 6 identified as two Kazakstanis a Russian and a German,  immigration advised that the German and one of the others has already left the country.

As of October in Thailand, women will be entitled to abortion rights through to the 20th week of pregnancy, a furtherance of 8 extra weeks.  With abortion LEGAL now in Thailand, the amendment was signed off by the Health Minister.  Less than 80 health centres across the country offer legal abortion, and, sadly, the backstreet operators STILL ply their trade.

Last night saw a converted pickup, converted into a cash security truck, lose control and crash on the motorway road near Pong sub district resulting in multiple deaths. Driver and two security men alongside him were deemed dead by medics who raced to the scene.  The container, previously mounted on the rear of the truck, became separated in the crash, and the cab roof was ripped off during the impact.  No word on speed, but roads at the time were dry, the security container was removed by hoist and is said to have contained up to 2 million baht in cash intended for ATMs.

The tropical storm front, resulting from typhoon Noru IS expected to have a major impact on our own region for several days.  Along with the capital and most eatern regions, Chonburi is listed by the MET office as expecting heavy monsoon rains from today through the weekend. If, as expected, that is the case, then many areas will flood and those living in lower areas are recommended to remove valuables from the ground floors and do their best to sandbag or barrier their homes. No drainage system in the world could compete with the amount of rain dropped during deluges but it will certainly be a test for the new drainage systems to see just how quickly the waters recede after rain stops.  REALITY is that many areas WILL see water rising from drains as it overflows from higher ground and its best to ask your neighbours WHERE you can buy sandbags. Flooding often results in power outages and charging phones ahead of time is a really good idea. We WILL update this news bulletin as and when or even IF the storms hit, but meanwhile, it’s recommended to prepare in advance.  IF the storm turns out to be minor, well, it’s good news for all, and far better to be safe than sorry.

And a quickie for those who are not normally affected in any great way by the storms, check your shoes. As water tables rise, the habitual homes of insects thru to snakes become flooded and we are hearing numerous tales of locals finding anything from a snake to a frog nesting in their shoes. Best to check and encourage them to leave, rather than risk a nip.

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