World's most visited city declares disaster in all 50 districts after nearly a month's rain in 2 days

Bangkok authorities declared on Saturday a disaster across all 50 districts of the Thai capital after continuous rain caused heavy flooding.

The designation, which gives local organizations authority to take action, came after the governor said almost 300 mm of rain had fallen since the afternoon of Sept. 24. That is close to the 344 mm Bangkok receives in an average September, its wettest month, according to World Meteorological Organization climate data.

"The water keeps coming in. It's hard to go out now. It's like my waist level now," said Somkid Pheuk-ngam, 67, a vendor who lives near a canal just north of central Bangkok.

"I cannot go anywhere. I have been closing my shop for two days now," she told AFP, adding that while she often gets flooded: "I think this time is worse than the 2011 flood."

The rain has fallen almost continually since Thursday afternoon, flooding roads and swelling Bangkok's canals, sending water into many homes and restaurants alongside them, AFP reporters saw.

People wade through a flooded street during heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand, Sept. 26, 2026. Photo by Reuters

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the east of the city was most impacted and warned more rain was forecast.

"The rain keeps falling and we are doing our best. We are trying to pump the water out, but the water in canals are full," he said on social media.

"The risk areas are those who live near canals. Every canal is now filled," he said, urging residents to move their cars to higher ground.

He also urged bedridden patients depending on life-saving medical equipment to consider a temporary stay in hospital.

Widespread flooding across Thailand in 2011 killed more than 500 people and damaged millions of homes.

Bangkok ranked as the world's most visited city in 2025, with an estimated 30.3 million international arrivals, ahead of Hong Kong and London, according to London-based market research firm Euromonitor International.