At least 21 Hong Kong-Bangkok flights delayed amid flooding in Thai capital

At least 21 flights connecting Hong Kong and Bangkok were disrupted on Sunday and Monday, with passengers on one service leaving the Thai capital facing a nearly 24-hour delay after the Southeast Asian city was hit by its worst flood in 15 years.

Heavy rainfall lashed Bangkok – a top travel destination for Hongkongers – between Thursday and Monday, prompting Thai officials to declare the city a disaster zone.

Despite the flight disruptions, Hongkongers in the Thai capital said the central tourist hub was less affected by the flood, with shopping centres remaining open even as some neighbourhoods were submerged.

According to the Hong Kong airport’s website, 10 inbound flights and four outbound flights connecting with Bangkok on Sunday were delayed by at least one hour.

Among them, flight TG 602D, operated by Thai Airways, was expected to arrive in Hong Kong on Sunday at 10pm initially. It was estimated to arrive in the city at around 9.30pm on Monday.

A passenger who travelled with an infant took to social media on Monday to complain about the lack of support from the airline.

“It is almost 6am. I have waited for 12 hours. There is no crew. No one has updated us. I suspect we have been abandoned,” the user, who posted from the airport, said.

Three arriving flights and four departing flights on Monday were also delayed, with most delays reaching seven hours.

The Immigration Department said that as of 5pm on Monday, it had received nine inquiries from Hong Kong residents currently in Thailand regarding matters such as flight arrangements.

It said these Hongkongers had reported that they were in safe locations, and the department had provided advice and help.

Hongkonger Winnie Yip, who lives in Phrom Phong, said the tourist area was less affected by the flood, with shopping centres such as CentralWorld remaining open despite the rain.

“I still see many Cantonese-speaking travellers in the mall … I do not really see any signs of flooding in this area. However, other neighbourhoods, especially residential areas, have been inundated,” said Yip, who is in her thirties.

She added that streets and pedestrian walkways near Phetchaburi MRT station, which connect tourists to the Airport Rail Link, were also flooded.

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She said she bought extra groceries in advance to prepare for the rain, noting that supermarkets and convenience stores near her home still had food supplies, despite packaged food such as instant noodles running low.

According to another Thai-based Hongkonger Joey Ng, low-lying districts – including Huai Khwang where she lives – suffered from severe flooding. The district is close to Chatuchak Market, a popular weekend go-to destination.

She added that the flood prevented her from accessing a nearby large-scale supermarket and shopping centre, but she could still buy daily necessities from grocery shops and convenience stores.

She also noted on social media that some people had waited for their luggage for hours at the airport.

Ng, who has been living in Bangkok for three years, observed that the public was caught unprepared for the heavy rainfall, with people rushing home and worsening traffic congestion.

She added that the country lacked a rainstorm warning system like Hong Kong’s to facilitate residents in preparing in advance and leaving the workplace in an orderly manner.

Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of EGL Tours, said that his company had tours departing for Bangkok on Monday and Wednesday, but the impact of the flood on their trips was “not too severe.”

“The airline said that our luggage might not be delivered at the same time and would only arrive the next day, which would be delivered to our hotel,” he said.

“We will adjust our itinerary and swap around the attractions as needed.”