Travel Tips

It had been raining every day in Hat Yai for about 3 weeks - maybe more. I guess that the water table must have been at its limit.

After all this, at around 2am one morning, there was a huge storm and the ground could absorb no more moisture. The storm drains went on strike and this was the result.

The road where I live was no longer a road but a river.

Last year, apparently, the flood levels rose to 2 meters. If there is another big storm it could happen again this year. I am told that Hat Yai is in some kind of geological basin so the water from neighbouring locations on higher ground ends up here.

Despite the surplus water, locals continue to go about their daily business.

If you're young enough these situations can be good fun. The kids on the bike are enjoying riding through the deluge.

Want to know how Thais keep dry while riding a motorbike in the wet? Now you know. This bike is only carrying 3 people, a small passenger load for Thailand.

The alternative to riding a bike through the water is to do as this guy has done. Shoes in hand, he wades to his next destination.

I was embarrassed, to say the least, at this scene. In the picture is Britains finest contribution to the 'go-anywhere' off-road automobile industry - The Land Rover.

While Tuk-Tuks and cheap motorbikes continued to whizz along quite happily this 4WD legend was halted by a drop of rain. For one dreadful moment I was going to deny being British if anyone had asked.

Watch out for that huge hole in the road.

I was quite impressed at how quickly the emergency services and armed forces were deployed to help.

Two days after the flood there had been no further rain and the flood waters had receded. A photo shop managed to remove its expensive developing machine before it was immersed. Here, members of the Thai army help to get it back into the shop.