If you haven’t already heard, we did cancel the trip to Thailand that we were supposed to be leaving for this Saturday. There was a lot that played into the decision but one of the biggest factors was the flooding. As it turns out, we are feeling pretty good about our decision. The flooding has only gotten worse; here are some excerpts of an article posted on CNN today:
Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- Floodwaters have forced the closure of Bangkok's Don Muang airport and the evacuation of flood victims who have taken refuge there.
In a televised address Tuesday night, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the capital could be submerged by as much as 1.5 meters (4.9 feet).
The floods have killed 373 people and affected more than 9.5 million people, authorities said.
On Tuesday the Thai Cabinet announced public holidays for the end of the month due to high tides, which could further devastate the flood-ravaged country.
The holidays will be from Thursday to next Monday and will be effective in 21 provinces, including Bangkok, that are still under water, a government spokeswoman said.
Of particular concern were areas along the Chao Phraya River, which winds through the capital and is expected to overwhelm embankments this weekend.
The government has called the flooding the worst to afflict the nation in half a century and said some areas might require more than a month before waters recede.
The government has set up more than 1,700 shelters nationwide, and more than 113,000 people have taken refuge.
Overall damage from the floods has risen and could top $6 billion, with the worst yet to come as the waters destroy shops and paralyze factories nationwide, the Thai Finance Ministry said.
To put the pieces together for you: the public holiday is Thursday through Monday, we were supposed to be in Bangkok Saturday through Tuesday. The area of particular concern along the Chao Phraya River is where our hotel was. We had intended to take the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai but the tracks are flooded and our second choice for getting out of Bangkok would have been . . . the airport that they just closed and evacuated.
The really crazy part? God was telling me a month ago that this trip was a bad idea and I didn’t want to listen. Once Jake and I did start to reconsider I had to apologize to Jake (and God) for not paying attention when I should have. At least I got the message before we were in the middle of all that mess!
So . . . no Thailand for us right now. It’s a little disappointing but overall, I think it’s a good thing. Just wanted to let you know.
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