Photo: Helena Jankovičová Kováčová / Pexels
Flooding Still Worsening in Nearly Half of Thailand's Hit Provinces
Thailand's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) reported on Monday, 28 September 2026, that floodwater levels are still rising in 12 of the 27 flood-affected provinces, while the remaining 15 are showing improvement. Nationwide, around 1.8 million people have been affected. The situation is especially tense downstream of the Mae Klong Dam in Kanchanaburi, where a near-doubled discharge rate has prompted a new warning for residents in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, and Samut Songkhram. None of this affects Koh Lanta or southern Thailand directly, but it's worth knowing if your travels take you through central Thailand.
Where the Water Is Still Rising
Of the 27 provinces hit by flooding, 12 still had rising water levels as of Monday, while conditions were improving in the other 15. Central provinces along the Chao Phraya River, including Ayutthaya, Sing Buri, and Pathum Thani, continue to see water levels climb. Chao Phraya Dam management said on Monday that no extra water had been released downstream and that the situation there was under control.
Bangkok's Numbers Don't Match
Estimates of how many people in Bangkok have been affected by flooding vary widely depending on the source. DDPM puts the number at 163,000, while the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's own count is over 700,000, a much higher figure. Either way, flooding in the capital could affect road access, transport, and accommodation in the districts involved.
Mae Klong Dam Discharge Reaches Critical Level
The Royal Irrigation Department, represented by official Korphong Joeykaew, issued a new warning for residents downstream of the Mae Klong Dam in Tha Maka district, Kanchanaburi. Rising levels in the Kwai Yai and Kwai Noi rivers, which feed into the Mae Klong River, have pushed the dam's discharge rate up from its normal 800 cubic metres per second to 1,500 cubic metres per second. Officials describe this as a critical level that could cause sudden flooding downstream, putting Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, and Samut Songkhram most at risk.
On Sunday night, a motorcyclist was photographed navigating a flooded road in Thong Pha Phum township, Kanchanaburi, as the Kwai Noi River continued to rise.
What This Means for Travelers
If your route through Thailand includes Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, or Samut Songkhram, keep an eye on conditions given the sharp increase in dam discharge downstream of Mae Klong Dam. Travelers passing through Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Sing Buri, or Pathum Thani may also encounter disruptions to roads, transport, or accommodation. This flooding does not affect Koh Lanta or other parts of southern Thailand.
Information sourced from Bangkok Post.