Remaining Lat Phrao MRT exits likely to close: reports

Entrances 1 and 2 were already closed.

Entrance 3, which is near Central Lat Phrao shopping centre, would be closed if the level of the flood water got any higher than its level yesterday, according to the reports. 

There was still no official announcement yesterday about possible closures at this important station on the MRT’s website, however. Call 02-624-5200 during office hours for more details.

Entrances to several of Bangkok’s MRT stations, especially those close to waterways in low-lying areas, have been closed for a week, with temporary barriers built behind the gates as an extra precaution. 

The BTS Skytrain service continues uninterrupted and is considered not to be at risk as the entire rail structure is elevated. Only very serious flooding could threaten to block access to BTS stations.

According to Transport Company manager Wutthichart Kalayanamitr, the Mor Chit 2 Terminus for North- and Northeast-bound inter-provincial buses may have to relocate to one of the following sites: near Phra-In watergate in Pathum Thani; Suvarnabhumi Airport; or a location in Chon Buri. Evacuation could begin at an hour’s notice, Wutthichart said.

Waivers on expressway fees on three routes – Ram-Intra to the Outer Ring Road; Bang Na-Chon Buri; and Bang Phli-Suksawas – have been extended until November 14. Call 1543 around the clock for more details.

Buses on routes 26 and 501 based at Min Buri Terminus, which is now partially flooded, have changed service routes to avoid a flooded section of Ram-Intra Road. Buses plying 24-hour routes will now run every 30 minutes after midnight – a longer-than-usual interval, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority said.

Traffic police yesterday announced the closure of another 10 roads, or sections thereof, in Bangkok, joining an existing list of 29. They are: Sai Mai, Prasert Manookij, Sena Nikhom 1, Nawamin, Ratchadaphisek, Suwinthawong, Romklao, a section of the Bang Na-Trat highway, Rat Uthit and Hathai Raj.

Nationwide, floods have killed 442 people with two missing, according to a damage update released yesterday. A total of 2,096,521 people from 713,836 households in 145 districts of 25 provinces are affected. The flood situation is easing in another 39 provinces where restoration works are underway.

Flooding has receded in Khlong Luang district in Pathum Thani, allowing small vehicles to run on many roads, with local administrative bodies estimating it would take another 10 days for flood waters to drain.