Heavy Rains Overwhelm Bangkok Drainage System

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, accompanied by Samut Prakan Governor Supmit Chinsri, visited the province on September 26 to monitor water management following heavy rainfall. He met with local officials at the Suvarnabhumi Pump Station in Bang Pu subdistrict and addressed the drainage crisis, acknowledging that canals are at full capacity and water from inner areas cannot flow through the system as planned. In some places, pumped water is returning to where it started because it cannot exit the drainage network entirely.

Jatusripitak stated that authorities had prepared for rain forecast between September 20–27, but some areas received over 100 millimeters—exceeding predictions. He admitted that earlier statements expressing confidence in managing the situation—using the phrase "we can handle it"—no longer applied given the continuous heavy rainfall and high water accumulation. The situation in Bangkok and surrounding areas has now become "unmanageable."

The deputy prime minister said relevant agencies have prepared emergency measures including equipment, personnel, clearing water obstacles, and establishing evacuation shelters if needed. However, the critical challenge is that rainfall far exceeded forecasts, forcing the drainage system to bear additional load while many canals are already full. Authorities are accelerating water management and pumping operations from inner areas directly to the sea to create capacity in the canal network. Jatusripitak emphasized that continuous drainage to the sea is essential; without it, pumping water between locations will simply cause water to back up and circulate rather than exit the affected areas.