‘It was a big loss’: Thailand approves $122 million in emergency funding following flooding that killed at least 19 since September

The Thai government has approved $122 million in emergency funding following devastating floods that have killed at least 19 people since mid-September. The floods have affected over 2.6 million people, with Bangkok recovering from days of torrential rains and widespread flooding. Some disruptions remain, including flight cancellations at Bangkok's main airport and a major baggage backlog.

The Interior Ministry will distribute the 4.1 billion baht among those impacted by the floods nationwide. While rain has largely stopped in Bangkok, some neighborhoods, particularly in the east, are still inundated. Traffic in the city is expected to return to normal on most main roads within two days, though low-lying areas may take up to seven days to dry out.

The floods have also caused an estimated 22 million baht in business damage across the country, with four deaths in Bangkok. Thai Airways, one of the main airlines handling baggage at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, is struggling with a massive luggage backlog, partly due to staff shortages caused by the flooding. Vendors in flooded neighborhoods, such as Bang Kapi, have set up makeshift markets to sell goods and cope with losses.

The flooding has also spread to neighboring countries, with at least 10 people killed and dozens missing in Myanmar, and 44,889 families affected in Cambodia.