Bangkok Schools Close Monday as Flooding Stabilizes

BANGKOK — 26 September 2026, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the capital's flood situation has stabilised and could begin improving by Saturday evening if no further heavy rain arrives. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration schools will close on Monday, while BMA staff whose work does not require them to be on site will work from home to reduce traffic.

Chadchart gave an update on the flooding at the BMA's Flood Control Centre 2 in Din Daeng at 13:00 on Saturday, alongside senior drainage and city officials.

He said flooding has affected several provinces, prompting Bangkok to declare all 50 districts disaster-affected areas. According to the Thai Meteorological Department, the low-pressure system responsible for the heavy rain is moving westward and northward, and rainfall over Bangkok is expected to ease.

"The Meteorological Department's forecast for the next period suggests the rain should improve. We should see it begin to ease around 14:00-15:00 today, and by 16:00-17:00 the rain should become lighter. That will allow us to pump water out more effectively, and water levels should fall accordingly," Chadchart said.

He said the Thon Buri side of Bangkok has experienced relatively few problems, while around 223 million cubic metres of rainwater has fallen on the Phra Nakhon side. The city is currently pumping water at a rate of around 1,200 cubic metres per second, with drainage expected to take two to three days.

Additional water is also flowing into Bangkok from surrounding areas, although Chadchart said conditions should gradually improve if the rain stops.

Some canals remain at critical levels, but the Chao Phraya River has substantial drainage capacity and is not currently considered a major concern. All pumping stations and drainage tunnels along the river are operating at full capacity, he said.

Bangkok authorities have also coordinated with the Royal Irrigation Department over water released through Rangsit Canal. Officials are attempting to divert as much water as possible directly towards the Chao Phraya River rather than through Bangkok, while some water may be diverted through Phra Ong Chao Chaiyanuchit Canal.

Chadchart said flooding is particularly severe in Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi. Authorities are trying to divert water away from Bangkok, including towards Chachoengsao. Saen Saep Canal remains at a critical level.

Some of the worst flooding within Bangkok is affecting smaller streets, alleys and homes near Don Mueang, Lat Phrao, Saen Saep, Prawet Burirom and Thawi Watthana canals. While major roads may be less affected in some of these areas, homes along the canals face greater risks, and residents have been advised to move belongings to higher ground.

At least 93 roads should currently be avoided due to flooding, Chadchart said. Affected locations include Phong Phet intersection and Ngam Wong Wan Road, as well as sections of Ekkamai, Vibhavadi Rangsit, Ramkhamhaeng, Lat Krabang, Sena Nikhom, Chaeng Watth.