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Thailand's Prime Minister has told all agencies to prepare for heavier rain from 5 October, with the South expected to be hit hardest. That includes Krabi and Koh Lanta. Forecasts also point to heavy, prolonged rain across the Central region on 11-14 October, and Bangkok has already seen flood-related disruption. If you're travelling in the next couple of weeks, here's what's been announced and how to plan around it.
What the government has said
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul spoke after a disaster command meeting on 2 October. He said conditions had improved with less rain, but that rainfall would build again from 5 October, with the South expected to be hit hardest. His words on the preparations: "We have to prepare as much as we can."
Agencies were told to stock food and medicine. They were also told to make evacuation shelters liveable, with proper bedding, meals, and clean toilets above all.
Asked whether the southern rain would be worse than last year, he pointed to Meteorological Department forecasts showing red and orange warning areas. He stressed that these are only predictions.
Forecast timeline
| Dates | What's expected |
|---|---|
| 5-7 Oct | More rain across the Northeast and western regions |
| 5-8 Oct | Rain in one-day bursts, not prolonged spells |
| 11-14 Oct | Heavy, prolonged rain of about 100 mm for the Central region, from Nakhon Sawan southwards |
Water management
Paiboon Kengkarnchang of the Office of the National Water Resources said the Chao Phraya Dam discharge is being held at 2,500 m³/s. That rate can be sustained for 5-6 days to make room for October rain. He said the situation differs from 2011 because the main dams still have spare capacity.
Flooding in Bangkok and Chai Nat
In Bangkok, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said four high-speed pumping pipes in Lat Krabang should start around noon, once about 100 m of levee is finished.
In Chai Nat, a floodwall on the Chao Phraya River broke overnight. More than 500 households in Sapphaya district were flooded, with water in low-lying areas reaching 80-160 cm.
What this means for travellers
- The South is flagged as most at risk from 5 October. Krabi and Koh Lanta are in the South. The article doesn't name specific provinces beyond the general "South".
- Central Thailand faces prolonged rain on 11-14 October. That covers Bangkok and the route via Nakhon Sawan southwards, so expect possible road and transport disruption.
- Flights are a risk. Suvarnabhumi had flood disruption, and Thai Airways only restored its full schedule on 3 October. Allow buffer time on connections through Bangkok.
- Check warnings before you travel. Look at provincial and Meteorological Department warnings. The forecasts are predictions, and the red and orange areas could change.
- Consider travel insurance. Look for cover that includes weather disruption.
Information sourced from The Thaiger.