Bangkok: The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has directed all relevant units to prepare for the upcoming rainy season and the local election, emphasizing the rapid addressing of flood-prone areas and ensuring that construction projects do not interfere with the city's drainage system.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Narong Ruangsri, Permanent Secretary of the BMA, led a meeting to discuss flood prevention and mitigation strategies for Bangkok in 2026. The meeting included key figures such as Mr. Jiradech Karunakritkul, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the BMA, and other executives from various departments including Drainage, Public Works, Traffic and Transportation, Environment, Municipal Affairs, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, as well as representatives from the district groups and relevant agencies. This gathering took place in the Cheenimit Meeting Room, located on the 6th floor of the Drainage Department Building at Bangkok City Hall 2 (Din Daeng).
The discussions highlighted the cumulative rainfall data for 2026, revealing that the city has experienced approximately 200 millimeters of rainfall since January, which is about 36% lower than the 10-year average. Forecasts indicate that from May 28th to 30th, Bangkok will face thunderstorms affecting 40-60% of the area due to the monsoon trough and southwest monsoon, with anticipated increased rainfall from late May to early June. Although rainfall is expected to be about 20% below normal from May to July, it is predicted to return to higher levels from mid-July to September 2026.
The Drainage Department shared insights from past flooding incidents in 2022 and 2025 to enhance preventive and mitigation strategies. In 2022, 737 flood-prone areas were identified, with 563 resolved and 174 still under action. For 2025, 216 flood-prone areas were identified, combining existing unresolved areas and newly identified ones. This data was used to prioritize budget allocation and operational planning for 2026.
Ahead of the 2026 rainy season, Bangkok aims to clean 3,811.7 kilometers of drainage pipes, representing 55% of the total 6,854 kilometers. Currently, 3,470.4 kilometers have been completed, equating to 91%, with the remaining 341.3 kilometers expected to be finished by early June 2026. Additionally, the Drainage Department has prepared all five drainage tunnels, 207 pumping stations, 244 sluice gates, 371 pumping wells, mobile pumps, and 24 rapid response units to manage heavy rainfall throughout the season.
In anticipation of the Bangkok gubernatorial and Metropolitan Council member elections, a contingency plan has been crafted by the Drainage Department, covering pre-election, during-election, and post-election phases. Before election day, efforts focus on surveying flood-prone areas, high-risk routes, and drainage systems near polling stations, with continuous weather monitoring. On election day, the plan includes deploying water pumps, emergency response units, backup power systems, and coordinating with district offices for immediate action.
Mr. Narong directed the Drainage Department and district offices to gather detailed spatial information, particularly for polling stations located outside of buildings, which comprise about 60% of the 6,629 total polling stations. They are tasked with creating overlaid maps containing drainage system data, canals, pumping stations, and high-risk areas to develop suitable response plans. This preparation involves deploying water pumps, constructing temporary walkways, preparing sandbags, and modifying flood-prone areas to ensure voter safety.
Moreover, the Permanent Secretary has mandated that all construction projects in Bangkok, whether by BMA agencies or external entities, undergo strict inspection and control to prevent any disruption to the drainage system. A temporary drainage system should be in place during construction, and district offices are to monitor their areas closely, coordinating with project owners to address any issues promptly, thereby preventing potential flooding during the rainy season.