Defense Minister Oversees Flood Cleanup in Bangkok's Eastern Districts
Defense Minister General Adul Bunthammajaren and Bangkok officials inspected flood‑hit areas in Lad Krabang and Nong Chok for a third day, overseeing waste clearance and drainage efforts. They aim to remove accumulated debris within two days and have requested additional water‑pump trucks to speed drainage in Floraville village. Water levels in Nong Chok are receding, and authorities are working to restore normal life for affected residents.
Defense Minister General Adul Bunthammajaren and Bangkok Permanent Secretary Thawut Khankeaw continued their flood‑relief inspections for a third straight day on October 9, 2026. They visited the Rom Klao housing estate in Lad Krabang and the Floraville village in Nong Chok, Bangkok, to monitor post‑flood waste management and drainage efforts. At Rom Klao, officials observed the large‑scale debris clearance operation at the National Housing Authority’s collection site, where bulldozers, loaders, excavators and large trucks—supported by SDLG, MAXANI, World Tractor and the Thai Power Company from Nakhon Ratchasima—were moving flood‑damaged garbage and belongings. The goal is to finish removing the accumulated waste within two days, with assistance from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, private sector and volunteer networks from Nakhon Ratchasima.
General Adul thanked all parties, especially the contractors and volunteers from Nakhon Ratchasima, stressing that post‑flood recovery is as vital as emergency response during the inundation, because residents can only return to normal life once the environment is clean and safe. Thawut expressed gratitude to the government and the Defense Ministry for continuously providing personnel, equipment and heavy machinery, from evacuation and water‑pumping to area rehabilitation, which helps Bangkok ease residents’ suffering.
The delegation then inspected four water‑push boats from the Bangkok Environmental Office operating on the Lam Gaebai canal before boarding a survey vessel to travel toward the Lam Pla Thiew canal, checking water levels, canal conditions and riverside communities. They considered adding more water‑push boats at Wat Tippa Was to improve drainage from secondary canals into the main Pravet Burirom canal linked to the Bang Pakong basin.
In Floraville village on Suwinthawong Road, Nong Chok—where over 1,800 households were affected—the team reviewed drainage progress, received briefings from the Royal Thai Army Development Command and inspected the pumping stations. Water levels have been falling thanks to ongoing work, but some spots remain deep enough that small cars cannot pass. Officials therefore requested two additional hydraulic water‑pump trucks to accelerate drainage.
General Adul spoke directly with field personnel to understand their problems, obstacles and support needs, emphasizing that government resources must be matched to real‑time necessities. The Army Development Command is coordinating with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Drainage Office and community representatives to monitor the situation, adjust plans accordingly and watch for upstream inflow, sea‑level rise and further rain.
