Thailand Braces for Heavy Rain — TMD Warns 50 Provinces, Including Bangkok
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a serious weather alert for September 8: heavy rainfall is expected across 50 provinces — yes, that includes Bangkok and its surrounding areas. Forecasters say intense downpours could cover around 80% of the country in the impacted zones, with some pockets facing exceptionally heavy rain. If you live in eastern Bangkok, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi or Trat, it’s time to get your umbrella, waterproof boots and a healthy respect for puddles.
What’s causing this soggy spell? The TMD points to a classic monsoon play: a trough sweeping through the lower northern, upper central and northeastern regions, combined with a moderately strong southwest monsoon blowing over the Andaman Sea, southern Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. Those two weather players together are signing up for a very wet performance.
Tropical Storm Tapah: Close but not a direct threat
Meanwhile, a strong tropical storm named Tapah is churning in the upper South China Sea and is expected to make landfall in southern China on September 8. Good news for Thailand: the TMD says Tapah will not directly affect Thailand’s weather. Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on developments — storms can surprise, and the monsoon setup will already be doing the heavy lifting.
Region-by-region forecast (6am today to 6am tomorrow)
Here’s a quick, clear breakdown so you know what to expect in your corner of the kingdom.
- North: Thunderstorms in roughly 60% of the region, with heavy rain possible in Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Phichit and Phetchabun. Temperatures: about 23–25°C minimum to 32–33°C maximum. Winds: variable, 5–15 km/h.
- Northeast: Thunderstorms across about 70% of the area, with heavy rain forecast for Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani. Temperatures: 22–24°C to 31–34°C. Winds: variable, 10–15 km/h.
- Central: Rain likely over about 80% of the region, heavy in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon. Temperatures: 24–26°C to 31–34°C. Winds: variable, 10–15 km/h.
- East: Thunderstorms in 80% of the region, with very heavy rain expected in Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Temps: 23–24°C to 28–33°C. Winds: southwesterly, 15–35 km/h. Sea state: waves 1–2 m, rising above 2 m during storms.
- South (east coast): Thunderstorms in 40% of the area, mainly Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani. Temps: 23–26°C to 31–34°C. Winds: southwesterly, 15–35 km/h. Sea: around 1 m with offshore 1–2 m and storm areas above 2 m.
- South (west coast): Rainier here — thunderstorms in 60% of the region, heavy in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket and Krabi. Temps: 23–27°C to 30–32°C. From Phang Nga northwards: southwesterly winds 20–35 km/h, seas about 2 m (higher in storms). From Phuket southwards: winds 1–35 km/h, seas 1–2 m (also higher in storms).
- Bangkok and vicinity: Thunderstorms expected across 80% of the area, with pockets of heavy to very heavy rain. Temperatures: 24–25°C to 31–33°C. Winds: southwesterly, 10–15 km/h. Expect urban flooding and slow traffic in low-lying spots.
What to do (short and sensible checklist)
- Keep phone battery topped up and follow local TMD alerts and news updates.
- Avoid walking or driving through flooded roads — water depth is deceptive and dangerous.
- Secure outdoor items (umbrellas get working-class careers in monsoon season).
- Fisherfolk and boat operators: heed sea warnings — waves can rise above 2 metres in storm pockets.
- Check on elderly relatives and neighbors in flood-prone areas; small help goes a long way.
Short version: it’s going to be wet in a lot of places. If you’re in one of the flagged provinces, treat plans with caution, pack your rain gear, and plan extra travel time. The TMD will keep issuing updates — stay tuned, stay safe, and maybe rediscover the simple joy of hot tea while the skies put on their dramatic performance.
Great report but this always feels like deja vu — Bangkok floods every year and nothing really changes. The roads will be chaos and people will underestimate the risks. Hope local authorities actually pre-position pumps and sandbags this time.
I live in eastern Bangkok and already saw drains overflowing this morning, so I am not optimistic. The warning is useful but it feels performative when cleanup crews show up late. Maybe community groups should organize preemptive checks on vulnerable spots.
Performance art, exactly — politicians will make a few photo ops in rubber boots and then vanish. The real issue is planning and enforcement, not headlines about rain. Anyone else sick of band-aid solutions?
As a schoolteacher I worry about kids getting stuck or schools turning into shelters without proper coordination. We need clear directives about closures and safe routes, not vague suggestions. Parents deserve better notice.
Thanks for the replies — I’m raising this with our community association and will ask the district office for a flood response briefing. If more residents complain it forces action, even if just temporary pumps. Keep your phone charged and share local photos to keep authorities honest.
TMD says Tapah won’t affect Thailand, but meteorology surprises us all the time. I think people should take this seriously and not assume it’s just another storm. Stock up on essentials if you live in low-lying areas.
As a meteorologist I can say the monsoon trough and a strong southwest flow are likely the main drivers this week, not Tapah directly. However, remote storms can modulate pressure gradients and moisture transport, so vigilance is wise. Local warnings remain the best guidance.
I farm in Trat and when rains come like this my fields either drown or crops rot, so this is more than an inconvenience. Preemptive harvesting where possible helps but labor and transport are costly. Government compensation takes too long to reach farmers.
Appreciate the expert reply, Dr. Ananda, and the farmer perspective too. It’s frustrating when science says watch out but daily life forces people to gamble with their livelihoods. Hope authorities speed up support for farmers if flooding hits.
My office is in Bangna and the commute is a nightmare during rain, I say close offices on heavy alert days. Employers can ask staff to work from home for safety reasons. It’s not about productivity, it’s about not getting stranded in a flooded bus.
Nice idea but not every job can go remote, and many hourly workers lose pay if offices shut. The real fix is better urban drainage and public transport resilience, not just remote-work policies. Employers should plan contingency pay for affected staff.
Totally agree about pay and equity, Larry. Maybe the city can mandate emergency leave protections during declared severe weather events. Otherwise only the privileged get to stay safe.
This pattern aligns with expectations under a warming climate: more intense short-duration rainfall events interspersed with dry spells. Urban planning must adapt to higher runoff and extreme events, not just historical averages. Investment in green infrastructure and early warning systems is crucial.
Green roofs and permeable pavements sound great but cost a lot and require political will, which is in short supply. The private sector profits from status quo development while taxpayers face cleanup bills. How do we force the change?
Policy levers include stricter building codes, stormwater fees tied to impervious area, and incentives for developers to include green infrastructure. It will be a mix of regulation and subsidies, plus public awareness to shift voting priorities. Science informs options, politics chooses them.
Sounds academic and distant from daily reality for many Thais. When my neighborhood floods, talking about policy doesn’t help get my motorbike out of the water. Practical, immediate actions matter too.
Parents keep asking if we’ll shut schools; our district hasn’t given clear guidance yet. Schools in low areas should prepare emergency kits and float plans for student pickup. Communication with parents must be swift and reliable.
As a retired teacher I volunteer to check on kid lists and vulnerable families during storms, but I need the school to authorize and coordinate. Community volunteers can help with door-to-door checks. Please ask your district to accept volunteer lists.
Thanks Somsri — I’ll bring up volunteer coordination at tomorrow’s staff meeting and propose a parent-volunteer registry. We need boots on the ground, not just emails.
The seas will be rough and many small boats won’t go out, which hurts our income but saves lives. I can’t stress enough: boat operators should heed the >2m warnings and stay in port. A damaged boat is a year’s wages gone.
As someone who fishes for a living, staying docked even when money’s tight is the right call if waves are high. Last season a friend lost his engine in a storm and support was slow. Local cooperatives should build emergency funds.
Exactly, Jai — cooperatives and micro-insurance are solutions but uptake is low because of cost. We need subsidized insurance and quicker disaster relief; otherwise small fishers keep risking their lives.
Urban flooding is basically Bangkok’s favorite hobby. We’ll joke, take selfies with the water, then blame someone and move on. Someone should really sue for negligent infrastructure planning.
Sarcasm helps but it’s tiring, BangkokGuy. People die in floods and livelihoods are destroyed — it’s not just a meme. Maybe channel that energy into petitions or community action instead of just jokes.
Fair point, Nina. I’ll sign the petition and stop posting flood selfies that make light of real problems. Still, action that feels performative should be called out.
I actually find small acts like checking elderly neighbors make a bigger difference than doomscrolling weather maps. Community networks can evacuate pets and help with sandbags faster than official crews sometimes. Let’s organize block-level WhatsApp groups now.
Community action is vital but shouldn’t replace accountability from government. If locals are doing all the heavy lifting, officials will never fund long-term fixes. Use grassroots pressure to demand infrastructure investment too.
Agreed, both are needed — immediate neighbor help and sustained political pressure. I’m starting a group chat for our soi and will invite the district rep to our first meeting.
The report mentions studies but no timelines for upgrades; that’s the usual loop — research, then wait. We need a clear schedule for drainage upgrades and responsible agencies named. Otherwise promises evaporate with the standing water.
Timelines require funding and procurement, which are slow. Still, phased interventions like targeted pump installations and improved maintenance schedules can be done quickly if there’s political will. Public demand can accelerate budgets.
Good point, Dr. Ananda, but I want specifics — which agency handles which pump station and when will maintenance be done this season? Transparency would build trust and reduce panic.
I live near a canal and my home floods every monsoon; it’s exhausting to move things upstairs each year. The elderly have nowhere to go during evacuations and officials don’t always check on us. Younger folks, please keep an eye on your older neighbors.
Somsri, I’m in your area and can help with sandbags and transport if needed. We should share a list of those who need assistance and coordinate pickups. Small acts like that reduce tragedies.
Thank you, Priya — that would be a blessing. I’ll message you my address and a short list of neighbors who need help moving fragile items before the storm peaks.