Thailand floods kill at least 23, Bangkok airport in chaos

Bangkok experienced catastrophic flooding, resulting in at least 23 confirmed deaths, according to Thailand's interior ministry. The city was inundated with 320mm of rain over a span of three days, causing widespread damage across 42 provinces. The tourism-dependent economy took a significant hit, with an estimated US$367 million in damage across two dozen provinces.

Despite Bangkok's main airports, including Suvarnabhumi, continuing to operate, chaos ensued at the largest airport as Thai Airways reported half of its workforce unable to report for work. The airline plans to cut approximately 30 flights, or 30% of its planned departures from Bangkok, over the next three days. This operational disruption has stranded around 5,600 bags, with travelers like Emir Demiroez frantically searching for their belongings.

The Thai tourism minister criticized the airline, stating that assigning its own employees to serve other airlines for contracted ground-handling services damages the country's image and suggests the airline should resign if it is unwilling to serve. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul approved a multi-million aid package, totaling over ฿4 billion (US$119 million), to address the floods' impact, while a long-term drainage project costing ฿160 billion (US$4.8 billion) has been approved, with construction expected to take eight years.