Since Thursday afternoon, Bangkok has been drenched, with 105.5 mm falling in a single 24‑hour span, the highest in recent memory. The deluge has already displaced 37,000 people across the capital and forced the closure of thousands of businesses.
The governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, said the east side of the city has been hit hardest, with canals swelling to waist‑high levels. "The water keeps coming in; it's hard to go out now," a 67‑year‑old vendor near a canal north of the centre told AFP.
On Saturday, Sittipunt declared a disaster across all 50 districts, a move that authorises local organisations to mobilise emergency supplies, flood‑rescue teams and temporary shelters. He urged residents to shift vehicles to higher ground and directed hospitals to consider relocating patients who depend on life‑saving equipment.
Meteorologists predict additional rainfall in the coming days, raising the risk of further inundation. Officials warned that the canals would remain full until pumping crews can reduce the water level, which may take weeks.
For vendors like Somkid Pheuk‑ngam, the floods mean a second week of lost income, with their stalls already submerged. The disaster declaration is a lifeline that could unlock aid from the national government and international partners.