Bangkok Braces for New Rain as Critics Attack Governor
Bangkok faced severe flooding from heavy rain linked to a super El Niño, prompting political criticism of Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. While central areas recovered quickly, outskirts remained flooded for days and another rain round is expected. Opponents have intensified attacks, blaming the governor and seeking to erode his support, though the broader regional flooding has lessened the impact of their claims.
After the super El Niño‑driven downpour that drenched Bangkok for three days and nights in late September, the city struggled with widespread flooding that caught residents and officials off guard. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration worked frantically to cope, while inner districts such as Sukhumvit dried out within a couple of days, helping to restore some of his popularity, although outer suburbs remained underwater for over ten days. As the water finally receded across the capital, attention turned to a fresh round of rain expected in the next two days and to a wave of political attacks on the governor from groups aligned with the Bhumjaithai-led government and from local parties seeking to regain influence in Bangkok. Critics have seized on every issue, including the decision not to use the Koo Bon and Bang Chan “monkey cheek” reservoirs, arguing that the move was flawed; however, city officials explain that those sites have limited capacity of only 700,000 cubic meters and high land costs, whereas the existing Nong Bon lake can hold more than five million cubic meters, making it a far better option. The recent three‑storm delivered roughly 300 million cubic meters of rain—about 100 million in the affected area—rendering the reservoir capacity debate moot.
