BANGKOK: The Thai Government is considering extending home-working arrangements in Bangkok to give drainage operations more time, despite falling canal levels and a drop of about 30cm in floodwater around Khlong Chan, government spokesman Ekkapop Pianpises reported on Wednesday (Sept 30).
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has also warned that officials who fail to carry out flood-response instructions could face action, stressing that ministries must work swiftly and follow a coordinated approach.
Ekkapop outlined the proposals and the nationwide flood situation at a Joint Information and Communication Center (JICC) briefing in the Naree Samosorn Building at Government House.
Anutin’s discussions with the Bangkok governor included a request to consider allowing residents to continue working from home for a further period, Ekkapop explained. The proposal would give Bangkok more time to concentrate on draining flooded areas.
Ekkapop reported a substantial decline in Bangkok’s canal levels, although standing water remained mainly in eastern parts of the capital. Pumping capacity had been increased following Anutin’s visits and coordination with city authorities, using small pumps alongside “Tho Sing” and “Phaya Nak” pumping equipment.
The government also called for easier travel for residents who still need to leave flooded neighbourhoods. Options included more frequent public bus services and additional transport arrangements to help more people travel out of affected areas quickly.
Ekkapop reported that rainfall had eased in most parts of Thailand, apart from the lower South. He described the overall water situation as manageable, with no additional flooding problems reported in the briefing.
Rain was expected to return to the North and Northeast on October 4–6 and could extend to the Central region, including Bangkok. Ekkapop stressed that the next spell was not expected to bring the same prolonged, persistent rainfall.
Satellite data from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) showed approximately 273,600 hectares under water nationwide, particularly in the West, Central region, Northeast and East. Government agencies, provincial authorities, foundations and other organisations had mobilised assistance for affected communities.
Srinagarind and Vajiralongkorn dams in Kanchanaburi were scheduled to increase releases between September 30 and October 4 after suspending discharges for three days, according to Ekkapop.
Ekkapop described the releases as routine reservoir management to prevent excessive accumulation. Water from both dams would pass through Kanchanaburi towards Mae Klong Dam, where operators had begun gradually releasing water to make room and reduce pressure from incoming flows arriving together.
The briefing outlined an increase in releases towards Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram from 1,600 to 2,000 cubic metres per second. Water levels along riverbanks could consequently rise by about 80cm.
Residents beside the Mae Klong River had already been alerted, Ekkapop reported. He urged riverside households to monitor conditions, assess whether their homes were adequately prepared and consider moving to shelters, with assistance available through provincial authorities.
Prachin Buri remained a priority for monitoring in the East. Authorities had previously issued warnings and prepared for evacuations, with water levels in Mueang Prachin Buri district expected to peak on Sept 30.
Water from Prachin Buri would flow towards the confluence with the Nakhon Nayok River before continuing into the Bang Pakong River. Meanwhile, flows from Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam had decreased and the dam was no longer overflowing, Ekkapop reported.
Chachoengsao would therefore require close monitoring over the following one to two days. Residents along the Bang Pakong River were urged to follow changing conditions and provincial announcements.
The Public Health Ministry reported providing care for approximately 52,000 vulnerable people. Three affected hospitals remained open with some services adjusted: Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri, and Klaeng and Ban Khai hospitals in Rayong.
Emergency patients could still receive care at all three hospitals, according to the briefing. Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital, where floodwater had entered the grounds, was preparing to transfer patients, particularly those in critical condition, to nearby hospitals.
Anutin instructed provincial authorities to provide enough shelters and maintain suitable living conditions for displaced residents. Governors were told to check the quality of donated and distributed supplies, food and drinks, ensuring that daily meals were clean and met appropriate standards.
Anutin also ordered local authorities to mobilise mobile toilet vehicles and toilet facilities for flooded communities. Provinces facing less severe flooding were asked to send facilities to harder-hit areas.
Electricity authorities were instructed to address outages while prioritising safety when supplying power to flooded areas, particularly the risks of electrical leakage and electric shocks. Water authorities were told to assist communities with interrupted tap-water supplies and deliver clean drinking water.
Anutin chaired a meeting of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command on September 30 and directed agencies to maintain close monitoring and issue warnings, particularly in Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Kanchanaburi and Chachoengsao.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) was instructed to prepare disaster-response machinery, coordinate equipment deployment and accelerate pumping and drainage. The measures continue the government’s drive for faster drainage and relief in flooded Bangkok.
The national command will meet every morning to bring together agency reports, coordinate water management and review instructions before issuing daily public updates. Every province must also submit daily situation reports to the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Interior.
Anutin instructed agencies to verify information before releasing it and coordinate with the government spokesman so that public updates were consistent, accurate and current.
Ekkapop reported that Anutin had repeatedly emphasised, including at the Sept 29 Cabinet meeting, that officials must promptly follow their ministries’ executive instructions and work to their full capacity. Anutin could use his authority to take appropriate action against anyone who failed to comply, the spokesman added.
Anutin’s instructions were intended to prevent delays or failures in command and coordination, Ekkapop explained. The prime minister thanked all organisations involved in relief work and assigned deputy prime ministers, the Prime Minister’s Office minister and other relevant ministers to oversee affected areas.
Anutin also ordered recovery work to begin, including surveys of affected residents and locations, so assistance could be delivered quickly.
Relief for the current floods will use existing funding arrangements, including the central contingency budget, emergency advances and local authority budgets. The disaster insurance scheme scheduled to start on Oct 1 will not apply to this round of flooding, Ekkapop clarified.
Ekkapop explained that disaster assistance had previously relied on several funding sources, including provincial governors’ emergency reserves, while damage assessments took time. The new insurance system was intended to provide another mechanism for delivering assistance more quickly.
For longer-term prevention, the government has approved the Chai Nat–Pa Sak–Gulf of Thailand project to improve water management in the upper Chao Phraya basin before flows reach Bangkok. Ekkapop described the project as part of continuing efforts to improve the handling of future floodwater and help residents return to normal life. - The Nation/ANN
