Pathum Thani Residents Protest Water Gate Level Discrepancy
Pathum Thani residents protested at the Phraya Suren Canal sluice gate after discovering its opening level did not match official monitoring data, fearing that forecasted heavy rain from October 9‑14 could cause worse flooding. They cited an earlier agreement to open the gate up to 40 cm to drain floodwater, but claimed the gate was not being operated as required. Local officials warned that stagnant water is already deteriorating and urged authorities to adjust the gate to prevent further inundation.
Residents of Pathum Thani protested at the Phraya Suren Canal sluice gate after discovering its opening level did not match official monitoring data, fearing that forecasted heavy rain from October 9‑14 could cause worse flooding. On October 7, community representatives from Lad Sai sub‑district in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province, gathered at the gate after noticing a mismatch between the actual gate opening and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s water‑monitoring system. An earlier agreement dated October 2 had set the gate opening at a maximum of 40 cm to help drain floodwater from Pathum Thani, with a reduction to 10 cm when water levels fall. Viwaphan Athosopa, a villagers’ representative, said they had expected the gate to release the lingering floodwater, but inspections showed discrepancies, prompting a demand for authorities to verify the facts and follow the agreement. Council member Apinan Sunnanont said locals reported the gate appeared not to be opened as required, while the central monitoring data indicated a different level, leading to a field inspection. Mayor Winai Sangwalyen of Lad Sai municipality warned that the area still contains stagnant, decaying water and that additional rain between October 9‑14 could worsen the situation, urging officials to increase the gate opening to drain more water.
