Post: #1

How is it for living now? I was looking to come and get an apartment for 2 months in central BKK, December to January.

I know the floods are subsiding, is it livable?

specifically:

Whats the disease risk? Are/will there be problems along the lines of sewage, drinking water etc?

Hows the infrastructure - can you still get around easily? Are the areas (tourist areas like koh san, thong lor and posh bits, rca clubs etc)

How about food and water supplies - are they back on track?


I've read all sorts but of course you only really know what's going on when you're in the thick of it.

Cheers guys!
Rich

Post: #2

(11-21-2011 04:01 PM)RichieP Wrote:  How is it for living now? I was looking to come and get an apartment for 2 months in central BKK, December to January.

I know the floods are subsiding, is it livable?

specifically:

Whats the disease risk? Are/will there be problems along the lines of sewage, drinking water etc?

Hows the infrastructure - can you still get around easily? Are the areas (tourist areas like koh san, thong lor and posh bits, rca clubs etc)

How about food and water supplies - are they back on track?


I've read all sorts but of course you only really know what's going on when you're in the thick of it.

Cheers guys!
Rich

I just wrote one of my online honeys who lives in Bangkok Metropolis (just outside Bangkok). She says the water in her house is still up to her KNEES. She basically has to stay on the second floor of her house. She has difficulty cooking, showering or going out. With water sitting stagnant for so long, I would think there will be issues with water safety in terms of drinking and sanitation.

Post: #3

jesus. yeah, that's what I've been reading on other forums too. And it doesnt sound like the govt is either equipped or motivated to deal with it all effectively.

Shame! I was really up for it.

Does anyone have any other recs for a 3-month stint, Dec-Feb, ideally Asia area? Am considering Chiang Mai after reading the threads here. Ideally somewhere cheap with decent internet for working, nightlife and girl potential, and ideally some other creative/entrepreneur types kicking around?

Post: #4

All the good parts of the city are still dry, and at this point I'm confident that it will stay dry until the end.

Tons of tourists have told me that they couldnt believe how dry the city is considering the news. The poor and outskirt areas are the ones under water, but BKK is so huge that you don't need to bother with those areas.

Literally, almost nothing is different there except you see sandbags (just in case), and I believe that some public transportation is not operating at full capacity.

IMO, dont let the floods stop you. I actually think it's a great time to go because you can negotiate a really cheap hotel room since all the tourists are spooked.

Post: #5

That's good info gringoed thankyou.

What's your take on the disease side of things? I keep reading about how its a perfect breeding ground for water borne diseases with the sewage and people/rats defecating in it, and that theres a chance it could get into the water system? Do you think that's a risk?

I'm well keen to go. It'd be the perfect place to setup shop, work hard and play hard.

Post: #6

Don't be drinkin the water in BKK anyways bro, only drink bottled water. Most parts of BKK are fine. Probably anywhere a farang plans to live is not affected much by the floods. I have a ton of friends there who live all over the Sukhumvit BTS and they have no problems.

Post: #7

Bangkok resident here- Inner Bangkok/ business districts dry, Sukhumvit/ekamai etc safe. The flood has receded in most parts of bangkok, with the exception of rangsit / northern areas so you are highly unlikely to see the water unless you are looking for it. Here's a a map- of flood management protest sites I know, but it gives you a fairly good picture of which areas are still flooded. bangkokpost.com/news/local/267763/anger-hits-boiling-point

About the diseases: They are only a problem in the areas which are still flooded, where the water might start to get polluted. Everywhere else is okay. The municipal water is normal and safe, although unlike in the states you shouldn't be drinking directly from the tap without boiling/filtering. And if you want to be super safe avoid the ice in your drinks purchased from the street vendors for now. If you find small pools of the water on the ground, don't step into em. Some products are still missing from supermarket shelves. For me life's returned to normal.

What kind of work are you planning to do here Richie?