Floods in Thailand

The flood have reached epic proportions.  I am not using the word "epic" in a cool hip fashion. I seriously mean they are epic.  The buses from Phrao to Chiang Mai were cancelled this morning due to flash floods.  By 12:30 the buses were finally back and running but the sights down the mountain road were sobering.  Apparently I do not handle the sight of destruction very well.  Powerlessness is not a fun thing to realize when people around you are in so much pain.

Several time on the way down creeks turned rivers flowed over the road. Homes were flooded three and four feet high in places. Entire families waded in knee high water trying to salvage belongings. People who already have so little have lost even more.  The death toll from flash floods is now almost 200.  Roads, in places, are completely impassible and rice paddies-- the crux of economic stability in the North are completely flooded out in areas turning low lying spaces into mammoth lakes.

The military was out enforce while I was being bussed to Chiang Mai. Pontoon boats could be seen picking up the elderly who were stuck in their homes.  They were digging in and scraping mud off bridges as the water receded temporarily.  People everywhere were on the roads with rolled up pants-- military personnel were handing out bottled water and rice.

Taken from the 17th floor of the Royal Lana

As I arrived in Chiang Mai the Ping River was incredibly swollen.  As we crossed the Nowarat Bridge you could see it was only a foot or two from cresting.  It was about an hour after I crossed when the river finally crested and flooded nearby streets.  Chiang Mai's night bazaar, pictured here, is flooded and the waters are continuing to rise tonight.

A few of my friends are stuck in the buildings until the water recedes. Thankfully most of them had notice that the river would crest and were able to either leave or get supplies before they were locked in.

They'll be there until at least Friday more than likely and getting basic services to those in need is next to impossible right now.

The rain is continuing to fall off and on tonight and flooding will continue until the rain and waters recede. 

I'm asking people to keep the people affected in your prayers and thoughts. Tomorrow I make a journey into Burma to have my visa renewed. The roads aren't the best right now but they are passable.

There's something to be said about being prepared-- I booked this trip a few days ahead of my visa running out. If for any reason it must be canceled I have a few days leeway in order to make my crossing. 

Thank you for your support, love and prayers.