Central Thailand endured heavier than expected monsoonal rain in September and October 2011.  The Northern part of the country endured constant rain to the point that damn gates were opened. The swollen rivers from the mountainous northern provinces flowed into the plains of the central provinces, and due to the water levels, the central damn flood gates were opened as well, flooding 201 districts in 28 provinces. In some places the flood waters were at chest high level. 2.6 million people were impacted, many had to flee their homes and water damaged more than 1.2 million Hectares of farmland. The human toll due to the flooding topped 600 dead on November 20, 2011. The hardest hit provinces were those low lying areas in the central Chao Phraya flood plain where 5 major rivers converge and included the districts of Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi. Bangkok also saw record flooding, including the central and business area of the city.

Of particular concern was Ayutthaya province (80 to 100km north of Bangkok) at the confluence of 3 major rivers, which flow into the Chao Phraya river heading into Bangkok. Some areas on the edge of the Ayutthaya provincial capital had 1.5 to 2 meters depth of flood waters Nakhon Luang District on the Pasak river, 20km to the north of the provincial capital was particularly badly hit by the floods.

The Nakorn Luang district Mayor reported to ADRA Thailand that there were three sub-districts; Bang Pa Khu, Bang Rakam and Pak Chan severely affected by the floods.  Large segments of the district population (about 13,000 people) were in need of Emergency Relief.  These areas were cut off by rising flood waters, electricity was out and the areas had no access to clean drinking water and food supplies except by traveling over water for 45 minutes to over an hour to the nearest aid center.

ADRA Thailand responded here and in Prathom Thani when flood waters incapacitated the nation’s industrial base. ADRA Thailand’s initial response was on October 8 and 9, where ADRA provided Food and water packages (ECPs) to 250 households in Nakorn Luang. ADRA Thailand returned on 15 – 19 October and with help from the Thailand Adventist Mission (TAM), Bangkok Adventist Hospital (BAH) and Adventist Mission College, provided ECPs to 1,714 households. On 23 October, ADRA Thailand and associated volunteers distributed 200 ECPs to households in Prathum Thani and then returned to Prathum Thani from the 28^th – 31^st of October to distribute ECPs to another 1,100 households. Over 7,000 families were given assistance in these areas.