Bangkok Flooding Forces Thousands From Homes as Heavy Rain Hits Thailand
BANGKOK, September 27, 2026 — Heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding across Bangkok, forcing thousands of residents from their homes and disrupting traffic in several parts of Thailand’s capital.
Bangkok received almost 300 millimetres of rain over a 48-hour period, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Floodwater covered roads and entered residential areas, leaving vehicles stranded and prompting emergency evacuations.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration declared the city a disaster-affected area on Saturday and opened temporary shelters for residents unable to remain safely in their homes.
Heavy rain causes widespread flooding
The heaviest rainfall affected Bangkok and surrounding areas from Thursday through Saturday.
Floodwater accumulated rapidly on roads and in low-lying neighbourhoods. Some vehicles were partially submerged, while residents in several communities reported water entering their homes.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration prepared 233 temporary shelters as authorities responded to the flooding.
About 4,200 people had been moved to shelters, according to officials.
Rainfall began to ease in parts of Bangkok on Sunday, allowing authorities to increase drainage operations.
Authorities work to drain floodwater
Emergency crews have been working to remove water from flooded roads and residential areas.
Officials have been operating pumps and clearing drainage routes while monitoring water levels in Bangkok's extensive canal network.
Authorities said flood conditions had improved in some locations as rainfall decreased, although several neighbourhoods remained affected.
Residents in areas where water remained high were advised to take precautions and move to higher ground when necessary.
Flooding affects transport
The flooding caused significant disruption to road traffic across parts of Bangkok.
Several major roads were covered by water, with vehicles becoming stranded or forced to move slowly through flooded sections.
Travellers were also warned to allow additional time for journeys because of continuing road disruption.
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport remained operational, although road access to the airport could be affected by local flooding and traffic conditions.
More than 84,000 people affected across Thailand
The flooding has extended beyond Bangkok.
Government figures reported by the Associated Press showed that more than 84,000 people across 21 provinces had been affected by flooding as of Saturday.
Authorities have issued warnings in areas where heavy rainfall has increased river and canal levels.
Emergency services have been working with local authorities to assist affected communities and move residents where necessary.
Weather conditions
Thailand's Meteorological Department had warned of heavy rainfall in several parts of the country.
Weather officials attributed the conditions to a combination of a low-pressure system and strengthening southwest monsoon conditions.
Further rainfall remains possible, meaning authorities are continuing to monitor water levels across Bangkok and other affected provinces.
Residents describe conditions
Residents in some flooded communities reported severe water accumulation inside homes.
Reuters reported that resident Arita Sanpoka said floodwater had reached waist height inside her house and that electricity on the ground floor had been disconnected.
Such reports illustrate the different levels of flooding across the city, with some neighbourhoods experiencing substantially deeper water than others.
Latest situation
Rainfall had eased in Bangkok by Sunday, and floodwater was beginning to recede in some areas.
Authorities continued operating drainage systems and maintaining temporary shelters while monitoring areas where water remained high.
The extent of further flooding will depend partly on additional rainfall and the speed at which accumulated water can be drained.
Officials have not indicated that the emergency response has ended.
Background
Bangkok is a low-lying city with an extensive network of canals and drainage infrastructure. Heavy rainfall can overwhelm drainage capacity, particularly when large volumes of water arrive over a short period.
Thailand regularly experiences seasonal flooding during the country's monsoon period.
The current flooding has nevertheless produced significant disruption in Bangkok, with residents evacuated, roads inundated and emergency drainage operations continuing across the capital.