Bangkok flooding expected to result in international supply chain interruptions

Historically high floodwaters in Thailand are threatening the capital city of Bangkok, as record water levels flowing through the capital’s river towards the Gulf of Thailand are to be met by high spring tides on Oct. 29 and 30.Cat modeler RMS notes that a record high of 2.47 metres above sea level was recorded in the Chao Phraya River at a gauge in Bangkok. Channels have been opened north of the city to divert floodwaters, although Bangkok’s Flood Relief Operations Center is considering cutting channels across five of the city’s major roads to divert floodwaters.”Industrial estates – housing both domestic and international facilities – in Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces, north of Bangkok, have been affected by flooding, resulting in billions of dollars of damage and disrupting international supply chains,” RMS notes in a cat update.The Globe and Mail reports Thailand accounts for one quarter of the world’s rice exports. And 70% of Thailand’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from the computer parts, cars and textiles it manufactures and exports.