Bangkok – The Thai government moved quickly on Tuesday to provide emergency assistance to millions of flood‑stricken citizens. Interior Ministry officials confirmed a 4.1 billion‑baht (about $122 million) package will be distributed to families and businesses that suffered losses during the severe weather that began in mid‑September.
Government response and distribution
Spokesperson Ekkapob Pianpises said the funds will be allocated by the Interior Ministry to compensate victims nationwide. The aid is intended to cover immediate needs such as shelter, food, medical care and repairs to homes and small enterprises.
Impact on Bangkok and surrounding areas
Bangkok’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, reported that while rain has largely ceased, many eastern neighborhoods remain underwater. He expects traffic on most major roads to return to normal within two days, though low‑lying districts may need up to a week for roads to dry.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, the country’s main international gateway, continues to grapple with a massive baggage backlog caused by staff shortages linked to the flooding. Thai Airways issued an apology, noting that more than ten domestic and international flights were cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday while the airline works to reunite passengers with their luggage.
Economic damage and business losses
Industry Minister Varawut Silpa‑archa estimated that the floods have inflicted roughly 22 million baht (about $655,000) in damage to businesses across Thailand. Residents in 29 of the nation’s 76 provinces remain affected, and four of the 19 confirmed deaths occurred in Bangkok.
Human stories from the hardest‑hit districts
In Bang Kapi, one of the city’s most severely impacted neighborhoods, residents waded through knee‑deep water and resorted to small boats for daily travel. A makeshift market sprang up on a raised walkway outside a mall, where vendors sold meat, vegetables and herbs to neighbors navigating the floodwaters.
Lon Cheng, a Cambodian vendor who has lived in Thailand for more than two decades, described his losses: “The first day … I spent about 70,000 baht and could sell for only 20,000 baht. It was a big loss, but I still need to sell.”
Regional spillover
Neighboring Myanmar reported at least ten deaths and dozens of missing persons after heavy rain triggered flooding and landslides in the southern coastal Tanintharyi region. In Cambodia, flash floods hit ten provinces, affecting 44,889 families and forcing nearly 4,000 people to evacuate. Authorities at the historic Angkor temple complex opened water gates and diversion systems to protect the archaeological site.
Looking ahead
The Thailand Meteorological Department warned that heavy rain remains possible in other parts of the country, even as Bangkok stays largely dry. Officials emphasized that the emergency fund will be a critical bridge until longer‑term reconstruction and recovery programs can be fully implemented.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
