“Why did you come here?” — Thai PM confronted by flood victim

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul faced a confrontational encounter with a flood victim in Bangkok on Sunday, as he delivered relief supplies to a housing estate grappling with severe flooding. The incident occurred as Anutin, accompanied by staff, navigated a boat through the waterlogged Khlong Chan Housing Estate in Bang Kapi district, where floodwaters had risen to around 1.5 meters.

Upon reaching the area, a resident shouted, "Why did you come?" to the prime minister. A staff member intervened, explaining that the delegation had come to provide water and other essential supplies. Additional residents called out to Anutin from their balconies as he departed the area. Bangkok has been submerged in widespread flooding following heavy rains, with the city declared a disaster zone and thousands of residents forced to evacuate.

At the Khlong Chan estate, residents expressed the need for more water pumps to alleviate the severity of the flooding, which had left them without access to clean water. The prime minister, who had returned from an overseas trip to oversee the flood response, instructed government agencies to prepare relief supplies and equipment for affected communities.

Over 580,000 homes had been impacted since September 16, and more than 80,000 people remained stranded in flooded areas as of September 28.