Bangkok Says Canal Trash Not Main Cause of Flood
Bangkok officials said trash in Ta Hang canal is not the direct cause of recent floods in Bang Kapi, noting the inundation affected multiple areas. They confirmed regular inspections had been carried out before the social media controversy and that the construction contract had ended, with renewal talks underway. Authorities pledged to continue coordinating with contractors to clear waste and maintain the canal.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials clarified the issue of trash scattered in Ta Hang canal, stating they had checked the site before any controversy arose and before images were posted online. They presented photos taken earlier showing water in the canal, trees and vegetation along its banks, and temporary structures of piles and wooden beams at the construction site. Officials said the authority already has a routine dredging plan and had been monitoring the area continuously, not just after the trash photos went viral. They acknowledged awareness of waste and material buildup in the canal since the flooding began and had instructed the contractor to clear it. All parties are now working quickly to clean up the area, and the administration stressed it is not ignoring the problem and remains in contact with the contractor. Regarding the project sign showing a contract end date of September 18, 2026, officials confirmed the original contract had indeed expired and they are currently in the process of renewing it to allow remaining work to continue, without yet disclosing a new completion timeline. They noted that online comments linking the canal trash and construction to flooding in Bang Kapi are likely mistaken, as the floods affected many areas and should not be blamed solely on the waste at one spot. Officials reiterated that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has not neglected the issue and will keep coordinating with the contractor to remove waste and residual material from the canal.
