Thai Minister Orders Waste, Sewage Fix In Flood-Hit Communities

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suthicha Chomonlin has directed all units under his ministry to help people affected by prolonged flooding, especially communities where water has remained for a long time and where wastewater, garbage and health risks have emerged. He assigned the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to coordinate with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), which owns the affected areas and is the main implementing agency, to produce concrete results as quickly as possible. PCD Director‑General Dr Surinthorn Worakitthamrong explained that stagnant flood water can produce foul‑smelling wastewater, accumulated waste and heightened contamination risks, including disease spread. Therefore the minister has instructed PCD to join BMA in field surveys, monitoring and problem solving. PCD will supply academic advice, information, tools and staff to support BMA’s work. The urgent response focuses on three areas: first, promptly collecting and disposing of flood‑related garbage, especially where water has lingered, sorting out hazardous or chemically contaminated waste for proper treatment; second, addressing wastewater and preventing pollution from entering canals by checking flooded spots, measuring water quality and recommending appropriate pumping, storage or treatment measures; third, continuously monitoring each area until the situation clears, maintaining data on risk points and tracking progress rather than conducting a one‑off inspection. Dr Surinthorn stressed that BMA remains the lead agency and PCD will not duplicate its work but will supplement it with expertise, equipment, personnel and inter‑agency coordination, particularly in flood‑affected communities, to reduce health and quality‑of‑life impacts as fast as possible. PCD will continue to cooperate with BMA, giving priority to real‑world solutions for garbage, wastewater, odour and canal pollution, and will support the work until conditions improve and residents can resume normal life.