Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    October 28, 2011

Thai Floodwaters Enter Bangkok's Grand Palace

   Gabby Paluch | Bangkok
   A girl swims in the floodwater in front of Bangkok's Grand Palace in a
   riverside neighborhood, Thailand. Photo: Gabrielle Paluch - VOA
   A girl swims in the floodwater in front of Bangkok's Grand Palace in a
   riverside neighborhood, Thailand.

   Thailand's flood waters have reached Bangkok's Grand Palace, a
   historical site that once housed Thai kings, and is now a major tourist
   attraction.

   Thousands are leaving Bangkok as the country's worst floods in decades
   inundate parts of the capital.
   Bangkok's Chao Phraya River spilled over into historical riverside
   buildings Friday, including the Grand Palace. At the former home of
   Thailand's monarchies, soldiers scrambled to pump out ankle-deep water.
   When the tides receded, the landmarks were dry and open. But after days
   of tourists and locals fleeing the Thai capital, the normally crowded
   historic district was calm.
   Two tourists from Venice traveling together who gave only their first
   names, David and Eduardo, said they frequently come to Bangkok for
   vacation.

   But they lamented that some places were closed due to the flooding.

   DAVID: "I want to go with the boat today but it's not possible because
   the service is closed."

   EDUARDO: "It's not possible because the market is closed!"

   DAVID: "I go to the hotel. I sleep.'

   The flooding has interrupted supermarket supply chains. Residents
   stocking up on supplies have emptied Bangkok's shelves of essentials.
   Some grocery stores are now rationing food and water as anxiety grows
   over more severe flooding expected this weekend.
   Nineteen-year-old James from Britain plans to travel to northern
   Thailand with a friend. He says he is not very worried about the
   floods, but has noticed the empty store shelves.
   'It's very hard to get bottled water though. There's not a lot of
   bottled water around, so that's a problem. But not much else,' James
   says.
   With riverside neighborhoods now routinely flooding during high tide,
   there is concern that even higher tides in the coming days and more
   floodwaters from the north could worsen the situation.
   Thailand's central plains have been inundated for months, closing
   several industrial parks, crippling manufacturing, and killing
   hundreds.

   Foreign governments, including the United States, have warned citizens
   against unessential travel due to the transportation difficulties and
   shortages of food.