The historical ancient city of Ayutthaya in central Thailand has been plagued by flooding for over three months. The recent overflow of the Chao Phraya River has worsened the situation, leaving many houses, schools, historical sites, and temples submerged in water. Residents have been forced to use boats for transportation, facing extremely challenging living conditions.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office of Ayutthaya confirmed on Friday (November 14th) that the continuous heavy rainfall during this year’s rainy season has caused severe flooding disaster, affecting over 60,000 households in the province. Currently, 18 people have been reported dead, and 38 ancient temples in the area have been inundated.
Residents of Ayutthaya told Agence France-Presse that this wave of flooding came faster, covered a larger area, and lasted longer compared to previous years, with water levels reaching up to 3 meters in some areas. Local residents described it as the most serious flooding in many years.
Many people have been forced to sleep on boats and rely on donated food to get by. Some have even constructed elevated platforms to serve as a safer and drier shelter than small boats. However, living conditions are extremely difficult, with limited access to toilets.
Although the government has provided 9,000 Thai Baht (approximately $280 USD) in disaster relief assistance to each affected household, most victims feel that this amount is insufficient to address their needs.
Ayutthaya is a historical ancient capital city in central Thailand, located approximately 80 kilometers north of Bangkok. It served as the capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (ancient Thailand) from 1350 to 1767, and is renowned for its well-preserved temple and palace ruins. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, this ancient city remains a significant landmark for studying Thai history, culture, and art, despite being destroyed by Burmese forces in 1767.