‘Floating market’ appeared on the streets of Bangkok after the flood

On September 28, residents of Bang Kapi district turned the area in front of the Pantip Plaza shopping center into a “floating market” to adapt to the prolonged flooding in the area. Reuters reported. Sellers place fish, vegetables and other items in Styrofoam boxes, while buyers wade or row boats between stalls to buy necessities.

Some merchants at the indoor market also reopened. Marisa Singprakhon, 33 years old, moved goods from her counter to the outside to make it easier for customers to buy, willing to stand in knee-deep water.

“If customers have to go inside, it’s quite difficult, because the water level goes down and up. So, we stand outside the flooded area to sell goods to customers,” Marisa said.

Marisa said meeting and chatting with people brings joy, but she does not want to have to sell in the current situation. She hopes Bangkok officials will pay more attention to Bang Kapi because “there are very few agencies to support this place.”

“We all have to work and keep trying. Many people have it much harder than us. I saw some people living near apartment buildings whose cars were completely flooded, unable to go anywhere. We can still go out, so the situation is not too bad,” said Pradit Monso, a 59-year-old salesman.

Thailand’s Ministry of Interior said last week’s unusually heavy rains caused serious flooding in 41 provinces in the country, causing at least 8 deaths. Bangkok officials have declared a state of disaster in all 50 districts of the capital, allowing necessary response measures to be taken.

Aat Pisanwanich, an economist at Rangsit University, estimates that the flood caused Thailand to lose at least 11 billion baht (327 million USD) and could increase further if the situation does not improve.

“Thailand’s GDP growth this year may lose 0.3 percentage points, to 2.1%, growth in the third quarter may decrease by 0.5 percentage points, to 1.7%,” Aat said. According to this expert, Bangkok and the eastern provinces of Thailand will be mainly affected, especially wholesale and retail businesses.

Meanwhile, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said economic losses in Bangkok alone could reach 7 billion baht, while total losses nationwide are estimated at 12.3 billion baht.