The storm brought down a tree on Rama I Road near the city’s police headquarters. The tree fell on the Skytrain’s Silom Line between the stations of Siam and Ratchadamri. The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) immediately stopped services between the two stations.
BTS boss Arnat Arpapirom issued a statement saying that travellers on the Silom Line would have to change to other forms of transport at Ratchadamri until the tree was shifted off the track. He issued another statement later saying normal service on the line began again at 19:00.
City authorties say that as well as the uprooted tree, the storm toppled 14 electricity poles between Ratchadamri and Witthayu roads. The fallen poles blocked Sarasin Road and more than 22 vehicles were damaged.
Other parts of Bangkok affected by traffic jams, flooding and damage included Ratchayothin, Phaya Thai and Din Daeng. The traffic congestion had a knock-on effect with drivers and public transport heading towards Sukhumvit backed up until late in the evening.
Bangkok storms stop traffic and Skytrain
News in Asia
A thunderstorm struck the Thai capital of Bangkok yesterday bringing down power lines and trees. Gale-force winds and driving rain triggered mayhem in some parts of the city at 15:00 and brought traffic to a halt and forced the operator of the Skytrain service to suspend trains on a section of the network.