Massive snow storm freezes Bangkok 

Hazardous road conditions greet Bangkok on Saturday evening. Reuters 

Pongpat Pattamatat


Bagkok: Avenues, sidewalks, buildings and the weather turned white on Saturday in Bangkok because of a freak massive snow storm which piled up a foot of snow, made pipes freeze and caused power outages.

Meteorologists cautioned that snow, ice, high winds and blizzard conditions were possible in a few days in Bangkok and suggested that residents must prepare for the snow storm and blizzard.

Snow began falling at a rate of more than an inch per hour on Saturday afternoon. All Bangkok mass communications announced that a heavy snowfall was expected to come in the evening around 5.30 p.m.

Most Bangkok areas were almost covered with the storm at 8.30 p.m. In the southern parts of Bangkok, the blizzard brought some of the worst conditions which caused damage in many areas.

The storm dropped nearly 22 inches of snow. Most areas got at least a foot of snow, with temperatures lingering approximately at 15 °F.

The snow built up quickly and covered highways and mainroads with layers of snow and slush; many of them were impassable.

Michel Downing, who is a road sweeper, said “The snow is really pretty when it first hits the ground, but I have to shovel this crap all day night.”

In the northern parts of Bangkok, people had nothing to drink and at times they were dealing with pipes freezing since 9 p.m.

“I would not expect to be without water,” said Avril Smith, a chambermaid. “Please give me a hand or I will be dead”

Most residences, colleges and companies were troubled by the power outages. The colleges were forced to close and people were unable to work until the power could be restored.

Sompong Alex, a headteacher of Taweethapisek School declared that “We had to close the school for the safety of our teachers and students. The school will be opened when the storm is gone." 

Bangkok lately dealt with the huge powerful storm that killed 1050 people on Dec.26, 2004.