Bangkok's international airport has had its flood defenses reinforced in recent weeks to protect it from the worst monsoons Thailand has seen in five decades, reports Air Cargo News.
Last week most flights were still operating on schedule at the airport, which is built on swampland, but cargo volumes were significantly down on expectations, according to operators.
Meanwhile, APL and APL Logistics, the shipping and supply chain management businesses of Singapore's NOL Group, today (November 1) announced that they are maintaining full operations in Thailand, though much of the country remains under water.
'We are doing everything we can to provide uninterrupted service in a time of need,' APL Thailand managing director Watana Kitikongnopakorn said in statement. 'At the same time we are providing resources to help the country overcome this crisis.'
APL is providing free containerised transport of relief supplies and rescue boats to outlying Thai provinces, a rescue paddle boat, and a 40ft container for a barrier to hold back floodwaters.
Torrential rain has caused Thailand's worst flooding in a half century. Nearly 400 people have lost their lives since July, and one-third of the country's provinces have been inundated.
The floods have hit the north, north-east and central regions of Thailand particularly hard. On Friday (October 28), officials told Bangkok's 12m residents that evacuation was their best option.
