PHOTOS

21 OCT 2011

Splash From the Past

This year's deluge is not the first time Bangkok has experienced major floods. As these file photos from 1983 and 1995 show, the city has faced flooding in the past... and survived it. Photos by Post Photographers.

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Splash From the Past — Bangkok experienced a major flood from September to December of 1983. Neither Sukhumvit Road nor this police officer avoided a drenching.

Splash From the Past — The 1983 flood caused 400 million baht of damage to farmland and orchards in Bangkok and 462m baht damage to the city's roads, as demonstrated by this shot of the Central Lat Phrao shopping mall on Phahon Yothin Road.

Splash From the Past — The 1983 flood cost the Thai economy 6.6 billion baht, including damages to this Bangkok bus factory.

Splash From the Past — Fifty-five Bangkok residents died and 200,000 homes in the eastern suburbs alone were damaged by the 1983 flood.

Splash From the Past — The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration was blamed by 46% of respondents to a survey about the flood, with 15% saying the government should be held responsible for preventing and solving flood-related problems.

Splash From the Past — A motorcyclist struggles through flood water at Sanam Luang. In 1995 Bangkok witnessed the worst flooding in the city's history with water levels reaching 2.27m. The flood lasted from October to November with an estimated 2.6 million people affected in the city.

Splash From the Past — Over two months of flooding in 1995, 26 major roads were severely damaged and more than 70 rai of farmland was estimated to have been affected. This floating toilet was provided to flooded residents in Charan Sanitwong.

Splash From the Past — Parked Daewoo meter-taxis are half-submerged near an office in Charan Sanitwong in 1995. Flood damages across the country ran into billions of baht.

Splash From the Past — Bangkokians enjoy noodles at a stall in Soi Surao Bang-or. In total, the 1995 flood spread across 73 provinces and claimed 420 lives.

Splash From the Past — A man inspects a drain in front of Government House in1995. Many flood victims complained about a lack of assistance from government agencies. Residents of Bangkok Noi reported that their MPs disappeared during the crisis.