A tropical thunderstorm on Monday afternoon caused citywide havoc and traffic snarls after it knocked down trees and power lines on busy streets and forced the BTS skytrain operator to suspend service on a Silom Line section.
Strong winds and heavy rain, which began at about 3pm, brought down 14 power poles on a section of Sarasin Road — from Ratchadamri to Witthayu. They blocked the road and damaged 22 cars.
- Photo gallery: Storm topples poles, worsens traffic
Shortly after the rain, a large dead tree in front of the Royal Thai Police headquarters on Rama I Road was uprooted by gusty wind and fell on the elevated BTS skytrain track between Siam and Ratchadamri stations, forcing operator Bangkok Mass Transit System to temporarily suspend the service between the two stations and police to shut down traffic lanes on the road.
The gusts also toppled trees on Witthayu and Rama VI Roads, as well as ripped down a large advertising billboard on Kanchanaphisek Road.
Police Radio FM 91 station reported a major downpour in Din Daeng, Lat Phrao, Petchaburi, Phaya Thai and Ratchayothin, which caused heavy traffic congestion in and nearby areas including Asoke and Sukhumvit late into the Monday night.
BTS president Arnat Arpapirom said commuters travelling to Bang Wa station, the last station of Silom Line, were required to change trains at Ratchadamri station as BTS and City Hall staff were clearing the collapsed tree to re-open traffic. Those travelling to National Stadium, the first station of Silom Line, from Bang Wa must also change trains at Ratchadamri, he said.
The Silom Line resumed normal service at about 7pm, according to Mr Arnat.
(Photo by Kosol Nakachol)