Industrial Estates Lock Down Zones as Flooding Risk Climbs

Sumet Tangthasarit, governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, reported on his inspection of Bang Chan Industrial Estate that heavy rainfall is affecting multiple zones, but water has not yet entered factory areas. Overall, authorities estimate they can control the situation at roughly 80 percent provided no further heavy rain falls. The chief concern is that drainage systems are reaching capacity, particularly along the central roads of Bang Chan Industrial Estate, where flooding is substantial. Central embankments and retention areas are filling rapidly, affecting surrounding communities that serve as overflow zones for the estate. The authority has coordinated with factory operators to strengthen their own defences using sandbags and water pumps, and is conducting urgent assessments of additional equipment needs across each industrial zone. Bang Chan Industrial Estate has installed approximately 7–8 pumps to accelerate water discharge into the central canal, aiming to boost drainage capacity and lower local water levels while supporting affected surrounding communities. Sumet stated: "If you ask whether it is safe right now, I must say that if the rain does not intensify it would be better, because the central embankment is already at its limit. Each factory must rush to protect its own area while we pump water as fast as we can into the central canal." Bang Poo Industrial Estate, which has faced chronic flooding in the past, currently remains manageable with water still confined to road surfaces and no inflow into factory zones.