Tears Of Indra

On 6 November in the evening we received a distress call from friends in the Phaholyothin, Bangkok area. People at Talat Wat Kho were without food and drink water. We still had twenty emergency packages left. We bought fresh vegetables to improve a bit the dry food in the supplies. 

Pia, Dawit, Puk and “Captain” Anucha left off at 0800 Hr for the 15 Km long road trip … by boat. At Khlong 1 they boated into the Viphavadi road; continued until the Air Force Base and the crossing near Stupa Themi, turning east bordering Don Mueang Airport and then turning south again on Phaholyothin Rd. 

Three times they had to cross a large wall of sandbags positioned across the Phaholyothin road, part of the Bangkok defenses (sounds a bit like war isn’t it?). The zodiac with the supplies needed to be lifted over the sandbags and dropped at the other side of the wall. The army guarding the wall - sand is becoming gold - wanted them to return, but they insisted. They received help in lifting the zodiac and were able to continue into Sai Mai area. 

Finally they reached destination after three hours of slowly boating (the zodiac isn’t that fast), a bit of cooking in the sun, and much of boat-in and boat-out. The emergency packages, the drink water and the vegetables were distributed to the ones in need and then the return was sounded. The zodiac reached “base” at 1600 Hr. 

Construction workers (with family) on a site nearby, stuck since the start of the flooding mid October, requested help; especially medicines, baby food and pampers. We went to Big C to look for the requested items, which we delivered upon return. Plans were made for the next day to try to get out our vehicle from the parking of Future Park, which is deep flooded on all sides. The car is needed to continue the aid activity in Tambon Khayai and vicinity. Finally one more day in Amazing Floodland; Urgent time now for Indra, to bring back the rivers within their banks.