Coastal city Pattaya remains largely unaffected by inland flooding due to its flat terrain and effective drainage. (Photo by Jetsada Homklin) PATTAYA, Thailand – While heavy rains and flash floods are expected to batter northern and northeastern Thailand, including provinces like Chiang Rai and Nan, the impact on coastal cities like Pattaya is likely to be minimal. According to the Meteorological Department’s warning issued on June 28, intense rainfall is forecasted in the north and northeast, with potential flash floods and sudden mountain runoff especially in hilly and low-lying areas. The weather disturbance is driven by a monsoon trough stretching across upper Myanmar and northern Thailand, interacting with a low-pressure system over northern Laos and Vietnam, combined with a moderate southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. This has created heavy rain conditions primarily inland, while southern regions experience occasional thunderstorms. For the seas, moderate winds are present with wave heights ranging from 1 to 2 meters in the upper Andaman Sea, and around 1 meter in the lower Andaman and upper Gulf of Thailand, rising above 2 meters in thunderstorm zones. Mariners are advised to navigate cautiously and avoid sailing in stormy conditions. However, for Pattaya, a well-established coastal city on the Gulf of Thailand, heavy rain usually does not cause severe flooding. The city’s flat coastal terrain and well-managed drainage systems help reduce the risk of flash floods that often trouble mountainous inland provinces. While rain showers may occur, residents and visitors can generally expect the weather impact to be far less disruptive compared to the more vulnerable northern and northeastern regions. Mariners urged to exercise caution as moderate waves and thunderstorms affect the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. (Photo by Jetsada Homklin)