PM Orders Nationwide Flood Response, Advances Major Water Management Project

On September 27, Prime Minister Anuthin Charnweerakul returned to Thailand at 10:20 a.m. at Don Mueang Airport following official missions to Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom from September 20–27. He cut short his overseas travel to oversee flood response efforts in Bangkok, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Puangkajorn, Defence Minister Anudit Boontharm, and senior Interior Ministry officials.

At 10:45 a.m., the PM addressed the flood situation, explaining that although he had been abroad on official business, he maintained close coordination through the deputy prime minister and monitored developments continuously. Upon learning of escalating floods, he conducted online briefings and ordered an immediate return to Thailand, canceling remaining international engagements to ensure effective crisis management.

Anuthin attributed the flooding to heavy, sustained rainfall across a wide area that exceeded local drainage capacity. He noted that water management agencies have implemented fish-bone drainage systems to prevent northern water from compounding Bangkok's problems, while minimizing downstream impact from dam releases.

For Bangkok, the Defence Ministry and Agriculture Ministry have deployed machinery, pumps, trucks, and rubber boats to assist flood victims. The PM coordinated with Bangkok Governor Chuachai Sittisam for continuous situation updates and established evacuation shelters, transferring bedridden patients, vulnerable groups, and elderly residents to hospitals.

For affected provinces and the metropolitan periphery, the PM empowered provincial governors to make autonomous decisions on relief measures for faster response. Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, who oversees central region disaster management, confirmed increased budget allocations for each affected province following disaster declarations.