An aerial view of the flooded residential zone in Tha Wang Pha district in Nan, one of the provinces in the North hit by flooding. (Photo: Disaster Response Association of Thailand Facebook)
The government assured that the floods in the North will not impact Bangkok and other downstream provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasized that the caretaker administration has the situation under control. On Thursday, Mr. Phumtham stated that authorities have mobilized additional resources to combat the floods affecting Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai.
According to information from the Meteorological Department and Royal Irrigation Department, the floods across the North are due to run-off from higher ground following the monsoon rains, rather than storms or other weather anomalies. These floods are expected to begin receding in the coming days. The Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province, a key dam in the region, is currently only 60% full and can accommodate more run-off, he noted.
The Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Ministry, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID), and the Office of Natural Water Resources (ONWR) have been instructed to closely monitor the situation, particularly in the most severely affected provinces. The Interior Ministry has been directed to establish emergency centers to coordinate with relevant agencies in the flood-hit areas and declare these areas as disaster zones, allowing for immediate disbursement of emergency funds.
The Education Ministry has been tasked with closing schools in flooded regions, while the Transport Ministry has been ordered to assess road damage and construct makeshift bridges to maintain transport links. The Commerce Ministry, on the other hand, has been instructed to ensure that basic goods remain available at reasonable prices.
Addressing concerns that this year’s floods may be worse than those in 2011, Mr. Phumtham reassured the public, urging them not to panic: “The amount of water is manageable; if there is no more rain, the situation will improve.”
Caretaker Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow stated that all relevant agencies are working diligently to manage the floodwaters in the North and divert excess water away from the Chao Phraya River. To protect Sukhothai and Phitsanulok downstream of the Yom River, water from the Yom River will be channeled into the Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit, he explained.
Capt. Thamanat plans to visit Phayao, Phrae, and Nan on Friday. He added that this year’s floods would not be as severe as those in 2011, as the country’s three main reservoirs still have capacity for more water.
Meanwhile, Surat Charoenchaisakul, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage, shared that run-off from the North is expected to reach Bangkok by the end of this month. In preparation, City Hall is reinforcing flood walls along the Chao Phraya River. The department has repaired 60 out of 120 reported breaches and is distributing sandbags to flood-prone communities to bolster flood defenses.
“We have eight to nine days to prepare. The water from the Yom River will flow to Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, and Bangkok because there is no reservoir to block the flow,” Surat explained. “Bangkok will see more rain and run-off from the North in September and October. When water levels in the city’s canals rise, water will be pumped out.”
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her concerns about the flood situation via X, formerly known as Twitter, noting that until she assumes full authority, Mr. Phumtham will lead the government’s flood response and planning efforts.
The ONWR has issued warnings for possible flash floods and landslides in 35 provinces until August 30 due to heavy rains. The Meteorological Department has urged residents in the North and Northeast to be cautious of heavy to very heavy rain from August 21 to 27.
According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, seven provinces have been affected by floods, impacting 12,777 households as of Thursday. The affected provinces include Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lampang, Nan, Phrae, Phetchabun, and Udon Thani.
It’s good to see the government taking action, but why wasn’t this preventative work done earlier?
I agree. It feels like every year we hear the same promises, but where’s the long-term solution?
Exactly. Flooding is not new. We need real infrastructure improvements, not just temporary fixes.
To be fair, this kind of extreme weather is hard to predict and prepare for thoroughly.
I’m skeptical about the government’s reassurances. They said the same thing back in 2011, and look what happened then.
True. The comparison with 2011 is worrying. I hope they’ve learned from past mistakes.
This is a crisis that requires all hands on deck. Skepticism is understandable, but we need to support and hold them accountable.
Absolutely, but accountability is key. Words mean nothing without action.
How reliable is this Meteorological Department’s data? They’ve been wrong before.
No forecasting method is perfect, but going forward, better technology and more investment might help.
Blaming them isn’t helpful. They’re doing the best they can with the data they have.
Why is the focus always on Bangkok? Other regions deserve just as much attention and resources.
Thank you for sharing this update, but how can we help those directly affected by the floods?
You can donate to local charities and volunteer organizations mobilized on the ground.
Good question! Every bit of support counts, whether it’s monetary or through direct relief efforts.
I live in Nan, and it’s worse than they report on the news. There’s a lot of suffering here.
Is it just me or does it seem like our government always downplays these crises?
It’s not just you. PR management often trumps real action.
They definitely try to keep the panic down, but it doesn’t help those in severe distress.
That’s true. Honesty might actually build more trust with the public.
This government needs to invest more in sustainable water management, not just temporary measures.
Long-term investments are indeed crucial. Floods are a recurrent issue and need sustainable solutions.
But is the government willing to spend the necessary money? They always find less impactful areas to cut costs.
Climate change is real and Thailand seriously needs to ramp up its environmental policies and infrastructures.
It’s a global issue, and we all need to see it beyond just local politics.
Absolutely, we need a global mindset to tackle these problems.
Thanks for posting this! People downplay the importance of water management, but it’s critical now more than ever.
I’m worried about the health impacts of the floods. Aren’t there concerns about waterborne diseases?
Definitely. Contaminated water post-flooding is a major public health risk.
The government should also prioritize medical aid and clean water supplies to minimize health risks.
Why hasn’t the Deputy PM visited every affected area yet? Some regions are feeling neglected.
Logistically, it might be challenging to cover all areas quickly, but more visits would definitely show solidarity.
Natural disasters show the gaps in our society. We need a more comprehensive plan.
How come the private sector isn’t stepping in more? Corporate support could make a huge difference in these times.