Bangkok Governor Confirms Close Coordination with Government on Flood Relief

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt affirmed that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the central government are coordinating closely and working well together, with no political conflict, all focusing on helping people affected by flooding. On 26 October 2026 at Bangkok City Hall, he updated progress on flood compensation payments in Bangkok. Government assistance is split into two parts: the cabinet-approved 5,000 and 9,000 baht payments for flood victims registered via the state app, and repair compensation for homes and property under Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation guidelines submitted through claim.bangkok.go.th. The two schemes are separate. Over one million Bangkok households have already registered for the cabinet relief. Regarding concerns about the government budget, Chadchart said the budget is sufficient, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Ministry already approving central funds for disaster compensation. For the BMA's share under the cabinet resolution, which requires contribution according to capacity, the city has already contributed twice, totaling 210 million baht (10 million first, then an additional 200 million). The BMA faces revenue limits like other local authorities, collecting only certain taxes at capped rates and receiving less from some sources such as tobacco, hotel, and fuel taxes. The city's central emergency reserve stands at 400 million baht, of which 372 million has been spent — 162 million on survival kits and 210 million on the government contribution — leaving 28 million. Meanwhile, accumulated surplus funds available amount to about 1.4 billion baht. The BMA will therefore propose to the Bangkok Metropolitan Council on 28 October to allocate an additional 1.1 billion baht for victim assistance, bringing total relief funds to roughly 1.5 billion baht. Chadchart said he understands the government bears a heavy burden assisting many people, so the BMA tries to support fully within its means. Because the BMA manages a balanced budget without borrowing, it must allocate existing funds carefully to maximize aid. On the cabinet relief payments, with over one million registrations, about 200,000 cases remain pending in the system. The BMA continues processing those with complete documentation, while the rest require further verification of documents and on‑ground facts, especially for home and property repair claims that must follow DDPM criteria to ensure tax money reaches those truly in need. Regarding DDPM funds not yet transferred to Bangkok victims as of 25 October, transfers are expected today in queue order. Chadchart reiterated that the BMA and the government coordinate and work well together, with no political conflict, all prioritizing assistance to flood-affected people.