Bangkok declared a disaster after several days of heavy monsoon rain caused widespread flooding. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said about 52,000 households were affected and roughly 5,000 people were evacuated to emergency shelters, including schools.
Meteorological data showed more than 330 millimetres of rain fell in some parts of the capital between Thursday and Sunday. September is among Thailand’s wettest periods. Residents said water levels had exceeded those of the major 2011 floods, which killed more than 500 people.
Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said in a social-media livestream that many main roads were flooded and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Officials suspended classes at many schools on Monday; some schools are hosting evacuees.
After reports that supermarket shelves were emptying quickly, the prime minister’s office urged the public to avoid panic buying. It warned that businesses making excessive price increases could face legal action.
Authorities expected rainfall to ease from Monday, while work to drain water from the city’s canals and drainage network continued.