Bangkok floods force thousands into shelters

Bangkok residents were forced to seek refuge in shelters on Sunday as flooding triggered by days of heavy rainfall inundated homes and roads across the Thai capital. Nearly 4,900 people had been evacuated to shelters, with around 52,000 households affected by the disaster, prompting a disaster declaration across Bangkok. Over 330 millimeters of rain fell in some areas of the city between Thursday and Sunday, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

Office worker Kosin Nilset, who lives along the Premprachakorn canal on the outskirts of the capital, described the severity of the situation, saying his house was underwater for about 30 hours. He noted that the current water level was higher than the 2011 flood, which had caused widespread damage and claimed over 500 lives.

Despite tap water and electricity being available, residents like Kosin had to work to dry out their homes and belongings. Pedestrians were seen trudging through murky floodwaters in the city's east, some knee-deep in water. Bangkok's network of canals remained at high water levels, with authorities working to expedite drainage. More rain was forecast throughout Sunday, but it was expected to decrease on Monday.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt warned that several roads were still flooded and advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel. He visited a temporary shelter on Saturday night, where about 1,000 people were evacuated and slept on cots and benches. Hundreds of city schools were closed on Monday due to the flooding, and some convenience stores had empty shelves as residents rushed to purchase essential items.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's office cautioned the public against panic-buying, warning that price gouging was a criminal offense. Thidarat Silsuwan, a 56-year-old woman living alone in a partially submerged house along the Premprachakorn canal, had been sleeping on a table for two days. She opted to stay at her home rather than seek shelter, as she worked to clean up and salvage her belongings. She had given up on retrieving large electric appliances like the refrigerator and washing machine, considering them broken.