Bangkok Residents Praise Flood Volunteers, Doubt Future Prevention
A Nida Poll shows most Bangkok residents admire foundations, rescue teams, and volunteer groups for their help during the September 2026 floods, while many doubt future flood prevention. The survey of 1,310 residents found over a third were personally affected by floodwaters, and opinions on lessons learned were split, with the largest share saying lessons won't prevent future problems.
The Nida Poll, conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration, surveyed 1,310 eligible voters aged 18 and over across all 50 districts of Bangkok from October 5 to 7, 2026, regarding the major floods that struck the city in late September 2026.
Regarding personal impact, 36.41% said they were completely safe, 36.11% reported flooding around their homes but could still leave, 18.93% said floodwaters blocked routes to their workplaces or businesses, 17.94% had water enter their homes, 16.34% experienced flooded vehicles they could still move, 13.59% were flooded around home and unable to leave, 8.40% had vehicles immobilized by floodwater, 3.05% saw water enter their workplaces, 1.37% reported flooding on the way to their educational institutions, and 0.23% said their schools or universities were flooded.
When asked whom they admired for help during the floods, 45.95% cited foundations, rescue teams, and volunteer organizations; 30.23% said no one deserved praise; 16.41% praised the Bangkok governor; 11.22% praised the governor’s staff; 10.38% praised social media pages reporting real‑time conditions; 9.62% praised the military; 8.85% cited relevant Bangkok officials; 8.63% praised local MPs; 7.71% praised the media; 7.40% praised local city councilors; 3.66% praised the police; 1.76% praised the prime minister and government equally; 1.60% praised ministers and their disaster‑response teams; 1.53% praised the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation; and 2.67% gave other answers including community members, the Irrigation Department, the Meteorological Department, the National Water Resources Office, royal‑appointed volunteers, individuals such as Thanya RS and Ussamanee Witthayanont, shopping centers, and private firms. 0.23% said they did not know or did not answer.
On lessons learned, 38.55% believed authorities had learned lessons but would still be unable to prevent or solve flooding in the future; 27.56% thought lessons had been learned and future prevention would be possible; 16.87% said lessons were learned but would be ignored; and 9.47% said no lessons had been learned and future prevention would remain impossible.
