In 4 days I leave sunny Alice Springs for Chiang Mai, Thailand. Over the past week, Chiang Mai has been subject to flooding. There have been video’s on Twitter of the market street knee high in muddy water. I started to wonder whether I should delay my trip and was a bit concerned about safety and post flood tropical diseases. It’s still the rainy season which means the flood waters could rise even higher. Train services between Bangkok and Chiang Mai have been cut.
I consulted news web sites and the Australian government Smart Traveller site (www.smarttraveller.gov.au). How much useful info did I get???? nuthin!! not a word!! Thai news sites carried the story.
So I posted a query on facebook (www.facebook.com/janeinalice) and twitter (@BonVoyageJane). Shortly afterwards, I got a message from Alice Springs people already near Chiang Mai and from various other travellers. They assured me it would be okay. I also contacted TMC school (www.tmcschool.com) where I will be studying – they told me they were not affected by the floods and they checked my hotel for me. And then some Tweeps checked the street my hotel is on and told me it was okay. Finally, a few days later, the SBS News service started reporting that Chiang Mai was flooded – surprise!
So *I* feel reassured but as news filters through, my firends are asking whether I should go – I got a text last night about people having to travel by boat down the main street of Chiang Mai. I’ll have to fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai because the train service is cut.
I’m getting the feeling I should start packing, but it’s only Sunday and I leave Wednesday….
Packing List:
Sarong, Flip Flops
iPod, iPad, Laptop, Camera, iPhone, chargers, chargers, chargers, electrical adaptors….
done!
So now to cook up a farewell feast requested by the kids – Penne al Vodka – learnt from Chef Paolo on our trip to Italy 6 months ago www.cucina-italiana.com
Hi Jane,
How is everything over there? We will be in Chang Mai next week (~18th) and just learned about the trains being down. Thank god we have a Thai travel agent help, else we would have been totally surprised as well. Any recommendations on things to pack given the weather over there? Or general words to the wise? We’re flying to Bangkok on Wednesday.
Thanks!
~Danielle
Chiang Mai is fine. Flooding is a little south. I recommend you fly from Bangkok to CM. It seems that you can get to most tourist spots around CM, but of course that can change quickly in this area.