Opposition Calls for Immediate Flood Drainage Plan, Thanks Military
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People's Party said the party's relief packs were self-sourced and thanked the military for helping distribute food. He urged all political sides to tone down attacks and demanded the government provide a clear, day‑by‑day plan for draining floodwater, warning of continued heavy rain risk from October 5. Natthaphong also stressed that the opposition will continue to scrutinize the government as usual.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, list-MP and leader of the People's Party, spoke at Parliament on October 1, 2026, after attending a meeting of the House Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Mitigation about the flood situation and measures for the coming week. He said that in eastern Bangkok districts such as Lat Krabang's Kho Ha Rom Klao, water remains high and drainage is slow, noting that the city's memorandum of understanding with the Irrigation Department sets pumping thresholds that are now exceeded both inside and outside Bangkok. An Irrigation Department representative explained that the MOU was designed for normal conditions and need not be strictly followed during the current crisis, highlighting the lack of central authority to improve water‑management efficiency in emergencies.
When asked what measures he would propose to the government, Natthaphong said the public most wants to hear a concrete plan for draining the floodwater now, not long‑term strategies spanning four or eight years. He demanded daily updates from the Meteorological Department on the risk of heavy rain returning from October 5 onward, urging the government to issue day‑by‑day situation reports to give citizens clarity and a sense of a solution.
Regarding the government's use of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department as the main command center, Natthaphong said he does not object to which agency leads the war room, but stressed that its purpose must be clear. He emphasized that the prime minister and cabinet should regularly report progress, present an overall picture, and warn of ongoing risks, which he views as the most important duty.
He also responded to the prime minister's order that idle civil servants would be punished, saying he expects the prime minister to fulfil his own responsibilities, such as attending the two‑day parliamentary session to answer questions, before considering any punishment of others.
Finally, on the matter of People's Party MPs preparing to file a complaint against a social‑media post alleging they used relief packs from elsewhere for photographs, Natthaphong said he had worked alongside Pannika Wanich of the Move Forward Group and confirmed the distributed items came from a kitchen run by the party's volunteer squad and its MP representatives. He thanked the soldiers who assisted, noting the coordination came from Wutthakorn Nutayakul, the list‑MP for Nonthaburi, who arranged high‑lift trucks and personnel.
