Heavy rain in Bangkok. Photo: Daniele Aloisi / Shutterstock.com Thailand is taking additional measures to limit travel in Bangkok and surrounding areas as flooding continues to affect communities across the capital and neighboring provinces.
The Thai Cabinet has declared September 28 and 29 special public holidays in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan because of heavy rain and flooding.
The measure is intended to reduce travel in affected areas, while government services will continue to operate online. Private companies, hospitals, financial institutions and state enterprises will decide individually whether to close.
The government has also extended free travel on eight expressways, as well as the M6, M7 and M9 motorways and the Don Muang Tollway, through midnight on September 29. The measure is designed to provide additional travel options and help people avoid flood-affected routes.
Bangkok authorities are now focusing on lowering water levels in several canals as they work to reduce flooding.
According to the latest update from PR Thai Government, light rain is helping drainage, while the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is prioritizing the Saen Saep and Prawet Burirom canals.
The main canals could take around three days for water levels to fall, while some communities may need up to a week before conditions improve.
Police are also working to clear abandoned vehicles from affected areas. Residents looking for information about removed cars have been advised to contact their local police station.
The flooding has spread beyond Bangkok, with the government reporting impacts in 25 provinces, 128 districts, 587 subdistricts and around 2,500 villages as of September 27. More than 174,800 households, or about 545,000 people, were reported to be affected.
In Bangkok, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has been overseeing the response, with authorities instructed to coordinate personnel, equipment and vehicles to assist affected residents.
The government is also coordinating food and essential supplies for flood-hit areas, including Sa Kaeo and Lat Krabang, while authorities monitor shortages and possible price increases.
For travelers in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces, the situation remains fluid. Anyone moving through affected areas should check local conditions before setting out, particularly during the two special holiday days when authorities are trying to reduce unnecessary travel.