23 hrs ago
Thailand Floods Kill 23, Disrupt Bangkok Airport, Prompt Aid
Heavy rain caused flooding across much of Thailand.
At least 23 people have died, including four in Bangkok.
Bangkok received an unusually large amount of rain in only three days.
Water began to recede from some parts of the capital.
The governor said major roads might be clear within two days, but other places could take a week.
Bangkok’s main airport stayed open, but many flights were delayed or canceled.
Thousands of bags were left at the airport because many workers could not reach their jobs.
Thailand approved money to help people affected by the floods.
It also approved a much larger project to improve drainage over eight years.
At least 23 people have died in Thailand since September 16, including four in Bangkok.
Bangkok received about 320 millimeters of rain in three days, flooding 42 provinces nationwide.
The governor said major Bangkok roads could clear within two days, while other areas may take a week.
Suvarnabhumi Airport remained open but faced widespread delays, canceled flights and about 5,600 stranded bags.
Thailand approved 4 billion baht in immediate flood aid and a 160 billion baht, eight-year drainage project.
- Who
- At least 23 people in Thailand died; Bangkok authorities, Thai Airways, the Thai government and affected travelers were involved.
- What
- Rains and flooding caused deaths, extensive damage, severe airport disruption and new government aid and drainage measures.
- Where
- Thailand, including Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi Airport; 42 provinces were affected.
- When
- The deaths occurred since September 16; the report was published on Tuesday, September 29, after heavy rain the previous week.
- Why
- About 320 millimeters of rain fell in Bangkok over three days, overwhelming areas and disrupting transport and airport staffing.
Operational Constraints
Management Criticism
Responsibility for airport disruption
Operational Constraints
Thai Airways said operations were crippled because about half its personnel could not get to work during the floods, causing widespread delays and stranded baggage.
Management Criticism
Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul criticized Thai Airways, saying it assigned employees to serve other airlines and should have managed the disruption more proactively.
Flood response priorities
Operational Constraints
The government approved immediate financial assistance to address the flooding’s impact.
Management Criticism
The government also approved a long-term drainage project, reflecting a view that broader infrastructure improvements are needed to reduce future flood risks.
Key facts
- Deaths
- At least 23 people nationwide, including four in Bangkok.
- Rainfall
- Bangkok received about 320 millimeters of rain in three days.
- Provinces affected
- 42 provinces.
- Estimated damage
- About $367 million across two dozen provinces.
- Airport disruption
- Thai Airways planned to cut about 30 flights, while roughly 5,600 bags remained stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
- Immediate aid
- The cabinet approved more than 4 billion baht, or about $119 million.
- Drainage project
- A 160 billion baht, or about $4.8 billion, project was approved and is expected to take eight years.
Quotes
Surasak Phancharoenworakul
Thailand’s tourism minister
“Almost 100% of flights over the past two days were delayed, with fewer than 3% on schedule as operational capacity could not be sustained”
theprint.in
“This damages the country’s image”
theprint.in
Emir Demiroez
Passenger searching for luggage at Suvarnabhumi Airport
“Nobody knows anything. Nobody can help us. We can’t find our baggage. We have our second flight at 2 p.m., but I don’t know if we’ll get it.”
theprint.in
Sources
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