Catastrophic Floods Grip Thailand: 17 Provinces Drowning
Thailand is in the grip of one of its most devastating floods in years. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation confirms 12 people have lost their lives. More than 341,000 residents are now caught in the chaos.
Seventeen provinces are under water. The destruction is staggering—100,235 households have been hit. From Uttaradit in the north to Satun in the far south, the flood spares no one.
The heart of the disaster lies in the central region. Provinces like Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi are especially hard-hit. “We’ve never seen anything like this,” says one local official.
Rising Rivers and Raging Seas: A Double Threat
Authorities are battling on all fronts. In the north, swollen rivers threaten to burst their banks. Down south, flash floods and surface runoff pose a deadly risk.
Coastal provinces are not safe either. Spring tides are making things worse, pushing seawater into already flooded areas. “It’s a perfect storm,” a rescue worker admits.
Chao Phraya Dam Raises the Stakes
The Chao Phraya Dam has ramped up its discharge from 2,500 to 2,700 cubic metres per second. It’s a dramatic increase, and the consequences downstream could be catastrophic.
Communities outside flood barriers are in grave danger. Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi, both in the dam’s path, are on high alert. Water levels in Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, and Sing Buri are also reaching critical highs.
Emergency Warnings and Desperate Measures
The DDPM, working with mobile giants AIS, True, and NT, has sent emergency alerts to every affected household. Residents living near rivers or in low-lying areas are urged to move belongings upstairs.
There’s special concern for the elderly and bedridden. “Evacuating them quickly is a huge challenge,” says a local medic. Rescue teams are stretched to their limits as the disaster overwhelms resources.
Coastal Provinces Face a Second Wave
It’s not just rivers—now the sea is closing in. From Chon Buri to Phuket, officials warn of coastal flooding as spring tides combine with relentless rain. Low-lying coastal areas could suffer devastating damage.
The government has yet to declare a nationwide emergency. Still, the situation is changing by the hour. If the Chao Phraya Dam keeps releasing water at this rate, even parts of Bangkok could soon be at risk.
