Why does it flood so much in Thailand?
Floods in Thailand are regular natural disasters in Thailand which happen nearly every year during the monsoon season. The monsoon seasons in the country are distinct by region, the southern part mirrors the Malay Peninsula and the monsoon season begins in October and ends in March. The rest of the nation has monsoons and/or frequent thundershowers from April/May through October, but often lasts beyond October.
Monsoon rains fall in such abundance that the amount of rainfall overwhelms the drainage system (if there is one)?
Also drainage systems are never cleaned or mismanaged to the point they do not do their job and allow the rain to dissipate.
Flood waters can build up in the streets in less than 1 hour.
Some other reasons:
Thailand experiences flooding frequently due to a combination of natural and human-caused factors, including:
- Geography – Thailand’s location between land and water, and its many networks of canals, make it prone to flooding.
- Climate Change – Climate change and La Niña can cause heavier rainfall than normal conditions.
- Dams – Dams can help regulate water flow, but they can also cause flooding if they release too much water. Local officials not understanding how much water to store in the dam prior to monsoon season.
- Mismanagement – Disagreement between government and local administrations, and a lack of coordination among government agencies, can contribute to flooding. Many disagreements when to open and close flood gates as each local official is only interested in protection their own area from flooding.
Gov’ts over the years have promised in every election to solve this flooding issue, yet it still happens every single year.
If you plan on visiting Thailand during the monsoon, do your research and understand how local flooding could possible affect your travel plans.