2026 Bangkok floods
Natural disaster in Thailand
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On 26 September 2026 at 10:16 local time (UTC+7), a flood disaster emergency was declared in Bangkok following 48 hours of continuous heavy rain, flooding main roads[3] and triggering mass evacuations.[4] Over 300 mm of rain was recorded in certain parts of Bangkok with flood waters blocking main road traffic in 37 locations.[5] The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported that it will take between 2–3 days to drain the floodwaters after the rain stops.[6] Bangkok authorities declared all 50 districts of the city as a disaster zone.[7] It was the worst flooding to affect Bangkok in 15 years.[8]
- Bangkok and adjacent provinces
Thunderclouds developing vigorously over Thailand | |
| Date | 24–29 September 2026 (5 days) |
|---|---|
| Location |
|
| Cause | Heavy rainfall triggered by an active low-pressure system/tropical depression and strong seasonal monsoon conditions |
| Deaths | 23[1] |
Property damage | ฿11 billion+ (US$327 million+)[2] |
Background
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionOn the morning of 24 September, the JMA reported that a tropical depression formed over Cambodia near Krong Siem Reap.[9] The system exited the basin the following day,[9] and the IMD began monitoring an upper level cyclonic circulation over southern Thailand and Myanmar related to the system on 26 September.[10] The following day, the JTWC issued a TCFA for the system, citing a high chance of development within 24 hours.[11] On 28 September, the IMD upgraded the well-marked low pressure area to a depression.[12] Later that day, the IMD upgraded the system further to a deep depression.[13] On 29 September at 00:30 local time, the JTWC cancelled the TCFA as the system moved inland.[11] Later that day, the IMD reported that the system weakened to a depression,[14] as the floods begin to ease.[15]
Impact
,(_September_27,_2026).jpg)
A 58-year-old woman was killed after being electrocuted in the car park of a housing complex in Khlong Chan.[16] Two fatalities were confirmed in Bueng Kum district: a 73-year-old man who drowned after slipping and falling while moving belongings from his house and a 78-year-old bedridden man that drowned after being unable to evacuate in the same district.[17]
Bangkok shut over 400 schools run by the city on 28 September, as flooding persisted in the outer districts though the weather was improving.[18]
The Cabinet of Thailand approved 28 September and 29 September as a special holiday in Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi for people to "take care of themselves and their families".[19] On 28 September, a man was arrested for riding a jet ski in the flood waters in Huai Kwang district.[20]
At Suvarnabhumi Airport, flooding caused disruption to Thai Airways operations, as it limited the availability of ground-handling staff.[21] This caused numerous flight cancellations to and from Bangkok on 28 and 29 September, causing 5,600 bags to be stranded inside the airport. Sixty-nine Thai Air Force personnel were called to clear the backlog and aid in ground operations.[22][23] CEO of Thai Airways, Chai Eamsiri, apologized over the luggage crisis and set a 72 hour target for the luggage to be cleared from the airport.[24]
Wider area
The heavy rains that caused the Bangkok flooding were widespread across Thailand. Over half a million people have been affected in 25 provinces with eight dead as a result. Samut Prakan, just south of Bangkok, was the most severely hit.[25] Pattaya experienced flooding, although less severe than Bangkok.[26] On 29 September, the death toll from the floods rose to 23 people, including four in Bangkok, and caused at least $320 million in damages.[2][1] Eight people died in Samut Prakan and six in Sa Kaeo.[27]
