Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink

I am not a happy man.

She who must be obeyed is still in Bangkok and I wish she wasn’t. The slow-moving tsunami that is the several zillion cubic metres of water descending on the city is going to overrun the capital at some point; the only questions are when and how deep. Meantime, life goes on as normal and my wife is expected to report for work daily.

She has two weeks left of her familiarisation and during that time either nothing will happen, or she will be stuck in an apartment with two metres of water outside the door, or, most likely, something in between. She has been preparing for being stranded by storing four pots of noodles and a few bottles of water; enough for two days at the outside.

Her plan, such as it is, is that she will hop on a bus for home at the first sign of flooding in her area. This assumes she can reach the bus terminal, can get on a bus, and the bus can get out of Bangkok.

As a first step in support of operation SWMBO escape, I travelled to Bangkok yesterday morning and loaded up with all the surplus clothes and assorted crap that we had taken to Bangkok two weeks ago; leaving her with a few changes of clothes, assorted essentials and a suitably sized bag into which she can throw all her stuff before swimming to the bus station.

Until she is safely home I shall not feel relaxed. I take little consolation from the fact that she is coming home tomorrow night for a day’s holiday (“because I really need to smell the cats”), and look forward to her permanent return to the home where she belongs.

Pattaya, of course, is not affected by the flooding and has rubbed this in by providing quite delightful weather over the last couple of days. But there is an impact on our otherwise idyllic existence, and ironically it’s water. Specifically, there isn’t any.

When the floods arrive and everything is swamped, one of the essentials of life becomes bottled drinking water. Supplies have rightfully been diverted to the victims of the flooding. If the rest of the country was sensible, then there would probably be enough water for all. But fearing a potential shortage, people have been panic buying and creating unnecessary shortages. Stores in Bangkok are substantially sold out of drinking water. Of course, in Pattaya, we should not need to panic buy; but my local 7-11 stores have no water left in stock and ranging further afield indicates that stocks are running out throughout the city.

It’s ridiculous, and if only people behaved sensibly there would be plenty of water for everyone. As for me, my not at all panic buying over the past couple of days has resulted in a water stock of 102 bottles in my cupboard. Enough for a couple of days, but I might go and hunt some more tomorrow.

Comments 🔗

2011-10-23 | Barry says

A slow-moving tsunami is exactly what it is. Perfect description. I salute you, sir.

2011-10-23 | Spike says

Thanks, although I cannot take credit for inventing the phrase.

2011-10-23 | www.anexpatwife.blogspot.com says

I hope she is home soon and you can stop worrying. My husband was in Pattaya and Bangkok last week. He flew home (to Melbourne) early - it was a relief for us.

2011-10-23 | Spike says

Thanks. Right now most of Bangkok is dry; hope it stays that way.