An expert cautions that Bangkok has yet to experience its worst rainfall

Today, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration issued a warning on its Facebook page to city residents about impending rain beginning at 5:00 p.m. till eight o’clock in the evening, mainly in Don Mueang, Sai Mai, Klong Sam Wa, Lak Si, Bang Khen, Chatuchak, and Lat Phrao. This year’s average rainfall during a seven-day period between August 1 and September 10 in Bangkok and its suburbs was 99.9mm, the greatest amount in the past six years. Between August 1 and September 10, the capital and its suburbs received over 120mm of rain on six separate days.


This morning, according to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, the water levels in the Lat Phrao and Prem Prachakon canals had reduced by 50 cm and 30 cm, respectively, but not in the Lat Krabang and Prawet Buri Ram canals. Today (Monday), Dr. Sunt Srianthumrong, a special professor at the National Institute of Development Administration’s (NIDA) Graduate School of Environmental Development Administration, stated that Bangkok’s worst downpour of the year has yet to arrive. Dr. Sunt warned that as global warming worsens, Bangkok residents may suffer more extreme weather. The most worrying aspect of this trend is that the heaviest precipitation of the year may not yet have arrived. He did, however, express optimism that the situation in the Prawet Buri Ram canal will improve after the water levels in the Lat Phrao and Prem Prachakon canals had decreased. He stated that there was only one day in 2020, two days in 2021, and six days so far this year with rainfall above 120 mm. He did so by providing graphs depicting annual precipitation exceeding 120 mm per 24 hours from 2017 through 2022.