BANGKOK: Severe storms have led to flooding in several parts of Bangkok as heavy rain belted the area around 5.45pm on Saturday (May 10).
The rain was widespread and intense, moving southeastward with steady momentum. Strong gusts of wind were also reported. The highest recorded rainfall was in Thawi Watthana district at 60.5mm.
The storm system continued to move southwest, intensifying and covering all areas of Bangkok, and later expanding into Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani.
From around 6.30pm to 7pm, heavy rain persisted across Bangkok and the mentioned provinces, with forecasts predicting it would continue for over an hour, resulting in widespread flash flooding in multiple neighbourhoods.
Meanwhile, the Facebook page “Tee Nee Samut Prakan” captured the local sentiment with a pair of short but vivid posts:
“Motorcycles are down all over near Central Bangna”
“The Thepharak Water Park is open tonight!”
At 7.33pm, a popular Facebook page in Pattaya, “We Love Pattaya,” posted an urgent update reporting a transformer explosion along Jomtien Beach Road, a well-known tourist hotspot in Pattaya, Chonburi Province.
The incident occurred amid severe weather conditions, with heavy rainfall and stormy skies sweeping through the area.
According to eyewitness video footage, a loud explosion—described as similar to a thunderclap—was heard before sparks and thick smoke erupted from the transformer. The dramatic scene caused panic among bystanders, passersby, and local residents.
As of now, the exact cause of the explosion and the extent of any damage remain unclear, and there are no confirmed reports of injuries. However, authorities are expected to inspect the site urgently to assess the situation and determine the cause of the blast.
The explosion has sparked concern among residents, as Jomtien Beach Road is a busy thoroughfare frequented by both locals and tourists.
Any damage to infrastructure could potentially disrupt traffic and local businesses in the area. - The Nation/ANN
