Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has put the nation on high alert as a robust monsoon system barrels through — bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and the risk of flash floods to 43 provinces. If you’ve been wondering why umbrellas and sandbags suddenly became trendy, blame a persistent monsoon trough cutting across the lower North, upper Central and lower Northeastern regions, combined with a steady southwest monsoon sweeping the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand.
Why this matters
This weather setup increases the danger of sudden flash floods and violent runoff after intense downpours. TMD warns everyone in the affected provinces to stay alert, especially those in low-lying or flood-prone areas and communities along rivers and drains. If thunderclouds roll in fast and the sky darkens, don’t take risks — move to higher ground and avoid driving through standing water.
Marine bulletin — mariners, listen up
Sea conditions are choppy. In the upper Andaman Sea expect moderate winds and waves around 2 metres, with waves topping 2 metres when storms pass. The lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand are forecast to see waves of 1–2 metres, rising above 2 metres during thunderstorms. Mariners should navigate carefully, avoid areas with thunderstorms and secure small vessels.
Regional forecast (6am Sept 5 — 6am Sept 6)
Below is a snapshot of the forecast by region — think of it as your weather cheat-sheet so you can plan commutes, school runs, and anything outdoors.
North
- Thunderstorms: expected in about 40% of the region
- Provinces most likely hit: Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Phetchabun
- Temperature range: 23°C – 36°C
- Winds: variable at 5–15 km/h
Northeast
- Thunderstorms: covering roughly 70% of the area
- Heavy rain expected in: Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani
- Temperature range: 22°C – 34°C
- Winds: variable at 10–15 km/h
Central
- Thunderstorms: about 70% coverage
- Heavy rain likely in: Suphan Buri, Lopburi, Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon
- Temperature range: 23°C – 33°C
- Winds: variable at 10–15 km/h
East
- Thunderstorms: expected in 70% of the region
- Heavy rain likely in: Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat
- Temperature range: 23°C – 34°C
- Winds: southwest at 15–35 km/h
- Sea waves: 1–2 metres, exceeding 2 metres during storms
Southern region — East coast
- Thunderstorms: around 40% coverage
- Provinces highlighted: Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Temperature range: 22°C – 35°C
- Winds: southwest at 15–35 km/h
- Sea waves: nearshore ~1 metre, offshore 1–2 metres, over 2 metres in storms
Southern region — West coast
- Thunderstorms: about 70% of the area
- Heavy rain likely in: Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang
- Temperature range: 23°C – 31°C
- Winds & waves:
- From Phang Nga northward: southwest winds 20–35 km/h, waves around 2 metres (higher in storms)
- From Phuket southward: southwest winds 15–35 km/h, waves 1–2 metres (exceeding 2 metres in storms)
Bangkok and vicinity
Thunderstorms are expected across about 70% of Bangkok and surrounding districts, with pockets of heavy rain. Temperatures should settle between 24°C and 34°C, accompanied by southwest winds at 10–15 km/h. Expect slippery roads and the occasional dramatic downpour — carry a sturdy umbrella (or a small boat, if you’re feeling theatrical).
Practical tips — what you should do now
- Monitor local TMD updates and follow instructions from emergency services.
- Avoid driving through flooded roads — six inches of water can stall many cars; a foot of water can sweep a vehicle away.
- Secure outdoor items, check drains, and consider sandbags if you’re in a flood-prone area.
- Mariners: secure small vessels and avoid heading out if thunderstorms are forecast.
- Keep emergency supplies (water, torch, phone power bank) ready in case of sudden power outages or evacuations.
Stay weather-aware, Thailand — the sky may look dramatic, but a little preparation goes a long way. For live updates, follow the TMD and local authorities, and keep an eye on the rivers if you’re downstream from heavy-rain zones.
This is getting serious — my village by the Mae Klong floods every year but this looks worse than usual. I can’t believe officials still wait until water is at our doors before sending help. People need sandbags and drains cleaned now, not tomorrow.
Have you reported clogged drains to the municipality? Sometimes local action helps more than waiting for national relief, though that’s not always fair.
Local authorities often prioritize city centers; rural areas are ignored. It’s systemic neglect, not just bad weather.
We have called many times but the crews come late. Neighbors are organizing a sandbag chain this afternoon; any volunteers are welcome.
Volunteering is fine but who pays for repairs and lost crops? Monsoon every year and no compensation — farmers are left hanging.
This monsoon event aligns with what recent climate models predicted: more intense rainfall concentrated over shorter periods. Infrastructure design must change to handle higher peak flows.
Are we talking climate change or just a noisy weather year? People here want solutions, not debates.
Both — short-term preparedness is key, but long-term planning must incorporate climate projections so we stop rebuilding the same vulnerable towns every decade.
My school might close tomorrow because of heavy rain. I hope the teachers tell us early so we don’t get stuck. Floods are scary and loud.
Tell your parents to pack a small bag with socks and a torch. Schools usually have SMS alerts; sign up if you haven’t.
Thanks, I asked my mom and she already put my shoes in a plastic bag. I don’t like thunder but I like school holidays sometimes.
Another monsoon, another ruined season. The government talks about warnings but where’s the real help for farmers who lose entire harvests overnight? This is unacceptable.
Subsidies and insurance exist on paper, but the claims process is a nightmare. Farmers end up selling at rock-bottom prices after floods.
Exactly — paperwork takes months. Meanwhile merchants buy cheap and the middlemen win. We need faster payouts and real price support.
Mariners please heed the bulletin: small vessels are at real risk with waves over 2 metres. Secure your boats and avoid the Andaman if thunderstorms are forecast.
Sailing through rough seas is part of the job, but reckless trips happen when fishermen chase catch prices. Nighttime storms are the worst; many incidents aren’t reported.
I’m a tour operator — safety comes first but cancellations hit livelihoods. We try to refund quickly but insurance premiums are rising with every season.
Carry a sturdy umbrella or a small boat, huh? Funny line, but it’s not a joke when neighbors can’t afford either and lose everything.
As a mom in Bangkok I’m worried about schools and traffic. One big downpour and the BTS is swamped with people trying to get home; it’s chaos and dangerous.
Bangkok’s drainage is antiquated. Investing in green spaces and retention basins would help, but political will is lacking.
Agreed — we need more parks that soak water and less concrete. But how do we convince the city council to change decades of development?
Emergency management must adopt an anticipatory approach: real-time river gauges, automated alerts, and pre-positioned relief. Reactive policies cost lives and money.
Real-time data is great but who pays for sensors and maintenance? Low-income provinces can’t shoulder those costs alone.
Public-private partnerships and international aid can fund initial deployment; local capacity-building ensures sustainability. It’s an investment, not charity.
Why is every government agency issuing warnings but roads are still slippery and drains clogged? Warnings without action feel like PR exercises.
Because cleanup requires boots on the ground and budgets. Agencies get blamed if they act too late and criticized if they divert funds early.
That’s politics. Lives are on the line; transparent budgeting and community involvement would help cut through excuses.
I run a small NGO that places sandbag stations in flood zones; we can mobilize volunteers but need official permits and fuel for pumps. Bureaucracy slows rescue.
Your NGO sounds vital. How can people donate or volunteer without bureaucracy getting in the way?
Donate via our website or meet us at the community hall; we share permits with village leaders and prioritize the poorest households first.
Can kids help? I want to help sandbag and hand out water if I can after school.
We need early-warning drills in communities, especially for those living along rivers. Panic makes things worse, but practice reduces confusion and saves time.
Drills are good but risk fatigue; people tune out if alarms go off too often without visible floods. Keep drills realistic and occasional.
True, quality over quantity — realistic timings and clear evacuation points encourage trust and participation.
Tourism bookings in the south will tank if mariners keep canceling. Locals depend on visitors; a balance between safety and economy is brutal but necessary.
Why are we surprised? Monsoon patterns have been obvious for months and still no large-scale mitigation. This is negligence and it costs poor people the most.
Labeling it negligence helps focus accountability, but also propose practical steps. What mitigation would you prioritize with limited funds?
Start with clearing main river channels, funding portable pumps for villages, and temporary shelters with food stocks.
My neighbor had their motorbike swept away last year; they barely made it out. I’m packing important documents in a waterproof bag tonight just in case.
Motorcycles are vulnerable. If possible, move them to higher ground or chain them to a post — small steps reduce losses.
We don’t have high ground nearby, but we’re putting them on a second floor balcony for now. Hope it holds.
The marine warnings matter to fishermen but not all crews get them; radios and phones die in storms. Better community networks are needed.
Agreed — VHF radios and simple siren systems at harbors are cheap relative to lives saved. Training on their use is essential too.
We need funds for equipment. If the TMD coordinated subsidies for radios they’d prevent many tragedies.
Climate refugees are a looming issue; internal displacement from repeated floods will grow unless mitigation and resettlement plans are humane and well-funded.
Urban planners should integrate managed retreat where necessary, but social support and livelihood alternatives must accompany any resettlement.
Yes, resettlement without economic opportunity just creates new slums. Invest in skills and local economies alongside relocation.
Why not use schools and temples as official shelters? They’re central and often have food prep facilities. Make them official evacuation points.
Many schools are already used, but they need supplies and sanitary facilities. Parents worry about kids’ schooling too, so packages must be quick.
Agreed — quick response kits for each shelter would make them viable without disrupting education too much.
Some folks say ‘it’s nature’ and shrug. Nature isn’t political, but our response is. Bad policies make natural events disasters.
Exactly — we can’t stop rain, but we can choose to build smart and support communities. My town has ideas but no funding.
Local plans should be crowd-sourced and prioritized; donors often want flashy projects but not the boring maintenance work.
SMS alerts are useful but elderly people often miss them. Door-to-door warnings and community volunteers remain indispensable during floods.
Community volunteers are great but need training and protective gear. Sending unprepared people into flood zones is dangerous.
Training sessions twice a year could help; simple actions like moving livestock and medicines save lives.
Drivers, don’t try to push through flooded roads. I see it every season — cars stall and people need rescue, which then puts emergency teams at risk.
Police should block dangerous roads sooner. An inch of water is all it takes to lose control.
Exactly. Better signage and quicker road closures prevent drama and save responders for real emergencies.
Can journalists stop sensationalizing ‘dramatic skies’ and instead give clear safety steps? Fear helps no one; clarity does.
Sensational headlines get clicks, but local radio and community leaders should focus on actionable guidance instead.
Then let’s support community radio and fund local bulletins. Information equity matters during crises.
Fishing communities on the west coast have been asking for better shelters for years. Boats can be replaced; lives often can’t. Prioritize safety equipment.
Safety gear is minimal cost compared to human life. Lifejackets and flares should be mandatory and enforced at harbors.
Enforcement needs to be consistent. Too many boats sail without basic gear because inspections are lax.