People in and around Bangkok are advised to prepare for heavy rain from today (Thursday) until the weekend, after the city was lashed by sustained heavy downpours last night, causing flooding in several areas and inconvenience for many commuters and motorists.

The Meteorological Department says the increased precipitation is due to an intensified monsoon trough over the northern region approaching a low pressure cell looming over the north-eastern region, which is compounded by the moderate southwestern monsoon over the Gulf of Thailand, the Andaman Sea and southern region.

Most of Sukhumvit Road was turned into a canal late last night, making it impassable for many cars and motorcycles. Commuters said that they could not find a single taxi or bus after having waited for several hours, while some motorists said they preferred to park their cars rather than battling through the flooded roads, which may be expensive if their car breaks down.

Thai PBS reporters, who inspected several of Bangkok’s roads last night, said the worst affected were Sukhumvit, Rama 4, Asoke, Lat Phrao, Pattanakarn and Ramkhamhaeng.

Many cars were found to have broken down on flooded roads.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt took a pillion ride this morning on a motorcycle to inspect Sukhumvit and Khlong Toei.

He admitted that many commuters had difficulty getting home after work last night, because there were no buses or they were stuck in traffic, adding that several areas were still flooded this morning.

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service