Heavy rain and flooding in Bangkok disrupts traffic and prompts evacuations

Major canals in Bangkok filled with accumulated rainfall exceeding 20cm, officials said on Saturday.

26 Sep 2026 01:03PM (Updated: 26 Sep 2026 01:04PM)

BANGKOK: Several areas of Thailand’s capital city Bangkok were inundated by continuous rain from Thursday (Sep 24) afternoon to Saturday morning that has disrupted traffic and forced some residents to evacuate.

Major canals in Bangkok filled with accumulated rainfall exceeding 20cm, officials said on Saturday. Floodwaters spread across the city, particularly in the central and eastern parts, blocking roads and stopping traffic.

Thailand’s Meteorological Department warned the heavy rain would continue in most parts of the country to Sunday, citing a strong low-pressure system over the central region and strengthening southwest monsoon conditions.

More than 84,000 people in 21 provinces nationwide were affected by flooding as of Saturday, especially in the central region. Authorities sent emergency warning messages through the cell-broadcast system to people in affected areas, the government said.

Bangkok was hit by downpours much of Friday and heavy rain persisted into Saturday. Photos and videos showed major roads submerged and cars abandoned after drivers were unable to move through the rising water.

"The water keeps coming in. It's hard to go out now. It's like at 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".

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

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.

"I woke up to go to work and the street in front of my house was flooded," said motorbike rider Samruay Nakkamnueng in the Ari neighbourhood.

"I'm worried if my motorbike would be able to wade through floodwater this much."

Further southeast, in the On Nut neighbourhood, AFP reporters saw locals wading through knee-high floodwaters along a road, as well as filling up sandbags to take home.

"EVERY CANAL FILLED"

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

"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."

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

He also advised residents to move their cars to higher ground.

Bangkok's public transport authority offered free access to MRT train "park and ride" carparks to store their vehicles, until Oct 2.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation warned of low pressure across eastern, northeastern and central Thailand until Sunday, saying there was a risk of flash floods, forest runoff, mudslides, and river overflow.