Severe flooding in Bangkok has brought the Thai government’s disaster response under intense scrutiny. Residents and experts have voiced concerns over the country’s preparedness and warning systems, questioning the government’s ability to manage the increasingly heavy rainfall that has battered the region since September 24. Several areas, including Lat Krabang and Bang Kapi, have been severely affected, with roads, homes, and vehicles submerged under water.
The floods have led to the declaration of all 50 districts in Bangkok as disaster-affected areas. Authorities have responded by opening emergency shelters and deploying personnel and equipment to assist the impacted communities. However, the timing of emergency warnings has been criticized, with many questioning whether residents had adequate time to safeguard their belongings and vehicles before floodwaters rose.
In response to the crisis, the government has mobilized military personnel and emergency vehicles while coordinating assistance across various transport services, including road, rail, water, and air. Efforts to drain and pump water from affected areas continue as authorities strive to alleviate the situation.
The flooding has occurred at a politically sensitive time, as support for Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Bhumjaithai Party has declined. According to the latest NIDA Poll, conducted from September 18 to 23, before the severe flooding began, only 13.76% of respondents favored Anutin as their preferred prime minister, a decrease from 21.68% in the previous quarter. Support for the Bhumjaithai Party also dropped to 12.08%, down from 17%.
The timing of the survey is notable, as it does not capture any potential shifts in public opinion due to the government’s handling of the flood crisis. For now, the focus remains on relief efforts, drainage operations, and providing support to the communities grappling with the flood’s aftermath.