PM inspects flooded Bangkok, cabinet declares two-day special holiday

BANGKOK, Sept 27 (TNA) - Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited flood-hit areas in Bangkok on Sunday as the government declared a special two-day public holiday for the capital and three neighboring provinces following days of heavy rainfall.

The cabinet approved Sept. 28–29 as special public holidays in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan to help manage the urban flood crisis. Banks and capital markets, including the Stock Exchange of Thailand, are scheduled to maintain normal operations. 

During an inspection of the heavily affected Bang Kapi district, Anutin delivered relief supplies by boat to residents stranded in the Klong Chan flat complex. The 30-building residential complex, which houses over 5,000 units, saw water levels reach up to 1.5 meters, cutting off electricity and water pump systems. Emergency responders were deployed to evacuate vulnerable residents, including the elderly and sick, to temporary shelters. 

The prolonged downpours over three consecutive days caused widespread urban flooding, with local authorities reporting five electrocution fatalities across affected areas.

To address long-term water management, the government plans to consider several infrastructure proposals—including flood drainage channels and water retention projects—during its upcoming cabinet meeting. -819 (TNA)