On Saturday, Bangkok’s Governor Chadchart Sittipunt declared a citywide flood emergency after the weekend’s relentless downpours left 329,000 households, or about 700,000 residents, submerged across all 50 districts.
The canal system, designed to drain runoff, was overwhelmed as water levels surged, forcing city officials to accelerate pumping operations and deploy additional crews to key embankments.
In Bang Kapi, where the water rose to knee depth near a train station, 55‑year‑old maid Naowarat Supanikorn evacuated her six pets and abandoned her condominium job, fearing unpaid bills and a possible loss of income. “I have to leave them with my neighbor,” she said, her voice trembling.
The Thai Air Force dispatched 69 ground personnel to Suvarnabhumi Airport to clear a backlog of luggage that had accumulated while staff struggled to reach their posts, a move that aimed to prevent further travel delays and uphold the nation’s image. Meanwhile, the government declared special holidays for state offices and advised private enterprises to assess their operational needs.
Meteorological agencies warn of heavy to very heavy rains across northern, central and eastern provinces, urging residents near waterways and low‑lying areas to prepare for flash floods, river overflows and potential landslides.