Bangkok Governor Defends Pre‑Rain Water Drawdown Measures
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt defended the city’s pre‑emptive water drawdown, saying canals were lowered to their minimum before heavy rains. He noted that the recent downpour dumped up to 300 million cubic metres of water, quickly filling the canals despite preparations. The governor urged transparency and invited critics to observe the drainage operations and discuss improvements.
Governor Chadchart said the BMA continuously drew water from canals and reservoirs to full capacity before the rain, lowering levels to the minimum, which caused foul smells from exposed mud, especially in Saen Saeb Canal, Prawet Burirom Canal, and Nong Bon reservoir where tree roots became visible. He described the recent rainfall as extremely intense, with up to 300 million cubic metres of water flowing in rapidly and instantly filling the canals. The drainage process involved pumping water and controlling sluice gates stepwise from inner areas near the Phra Khanong pumping station out to the Chao Phraya River to make space for incoming outer floodwaters; he warned that opening all gates simultaneously would lose control. Current operations rely on staff skill and experience, but the BMA plans to introduce AI and automated control systems to improve efficiency. He emphasized transparency, noting that water levels, canal operations, gate openings, and flow rates are posted online for public scrutiny, and invited Suchatchavee to visit the control center on the 6th floor of City Hall in Din Daeng to exchange information.
