If Bangkok goes under - Thailand Floods

cali; I think part of the problem is the gradient between Bangkok and the gulf. It is just so flat that the water moves quite slowly. The stormwater drainage system is full and the floodwater is just waiting for gravity to do it's job. The average ground surface elevation of Bangkok is less than 2.0 meters above mean sea level. Many areas are just slightly above msl. If the gradient was steeper the water would flow faster and empty out quicker.

Here's my current take on things:

The water would flow better if they just opened up the big bags that are currently blocking the large masses of the water - no doubt about it.

The water level is receding in areas - very true, but looking into things, it looks more like the water is just shifting positions, and therefore, thinning out.
Yes, some is moving into the rivers, but an awful lot is just moving South, East and West.

If we take a look at the information available to us, whether accurate or not

http://www.gamling.org/ - Is supposed to be a 'live' update of the flooded areas
http://203.150.230.27/FloodMap/index.html - again, supposed to be updated live

They all seem to say the same thing, there is much more water around the Wastern (Thonburi) side running down towards Samut Sakhon now, again, on the Eastern (Lat Krabang/Suvarnabhumi) side there seems to be a lot of small flooded areas now, although, none that I have seen in urban areas - but they are there, just off the beaten track slightly.

I have no idea whether to go with the 'Bangkok will be better in a few weeks' option or not really, there is just way too much conflicting information being distributed around here.

Much of the surrounds are still hand built 'sandbag' cities, some high, some low, very little consistency at all, so the locals are still prepared, and again, they are also starting to complain about the information they are being fed.
All you have to do is change channels on TV to get differing views of what will/will not happen..

I've had a few friends/colleagues who have actually been caught out and ended up stuck where they were for a number of days. None of whom actually enjoyed the experience one little bit.

Even the most prepared, were not ready for the unexpected...
Things like dead bodies of humans and animals getting tangled on your gate post must be pretty unnerving to say the least.
The foul smelling stench of the tepid water mixing with raw sewage - and no electricity to power the fan to at least help and blow the smell away. Of course, closing your windows made things even worse.
Then if you can survive issues such as the above along with no toilets, rotting food in your fridge/freezer, black mould appearing around your house/room, good luck to you - what's the other option?

Get out, get burgled and return to en empty house...!?!
I suppose at least you and your family are safe that way.

All in all, I can really understand why some of the locals are trying to damage the 'big bag' walls in some areas - they just want some normality back in their lives. I guess you could also ask why they don't just get the hell out, well, most of those that do, end up with nothing left in their house when they return.
Ultimately, they are hanging around to protect their assets - can't blame them really...

I'm still home and dry by the way, and I hope it will stay that way...

I had also better add, that I am not exaggerating any notes above, all true, but of course, please don't think it's like this all over Bangkok, it's not, the above probably accounts for a very, very small percentage of the area involved.
Central Bangkok itself, is still more that fit for travelling around - the usual applies - just be careful...

Most of Bangkok is still 'business as usual' and supply shortages are now beginning to get ironed out, most import, the logistics of getting supplies to the areas in need seems to be getting better by the day.

(Disclaimer - all of the above could change at any time!)

thanks BB for the useful updates..
it seems to me that just one good storm would make things a hell of alot worse . with the predicted change in weather patterns, this could be an annual event in years to come..