Ayutthaya Floods Persist for 3 Months, Residents Forced to Live on Small Boats

Floods frequently occur in Thailand, and the disaster in Ayutthaya Province has persisted for over three months. Residents have been forced to use boats for transportation, making life extremely difficult. They desperately hope the floodwaters will recede soon.

The Ayutthaya Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office confirmed on the 14th that this year’s rainy season floods have affected more than 60,000 households in the province, resulting in 18 deaths.

Recently, central Thailand has been hit by torrential rain and flooding. Ayutthaya, located about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok, is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its ancient temples are now threatened by the flooding; of the 38 temples, none have been spared.

Continuous heavy rains have brought the most severe floods in years to Ayutthaya. Some people are even forced to sleep on small boats. Although the government has distributed a subsidy of 9,000 baht to each household, most residents feel this is far from enough.

Sixty-nine-year-old resident Somkiat has been sleeping on a small boat recently. "I have to endure it; I don’t know what will happen next. I’ve been living with the floods for over three months now. I hope the waters will recede soon."

Somkiat eventually found a way to build a platform in his flooded home using several tables, replacing the boat as a safe and dry sleeping area.

Somkiat has to endure long-term inconveniences, such as being unable to use the toilet normally and relying on food donations to get by. "I hope the water level drops soon."

Vichai, 77, who was forced to move from his flooded home to a temple shelter, said the flood "came very quickly, extremely quickly!"

He said the situation is extremely tough. This year’s flood is worse than in previous years and has also lasted much longer.

Regarding government aid, Vichai commented that 9,000 baht is barely enough to buy some basic materials like plywood to raise his house, but just the cleanup costs have already reached as much as 3,000 baht. "Cleanup costs should reach tens of thousands of baht."