Thailand’s flood emergency continued across 20 provinces and Bangkok on 15 October, while forecasters and disaster officials warned of further heavy rain, flash floods and sudden runoff.
Figures from Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), reported for 6am on 14 October, showed that 905,233 households, or 2,449,019 people, were affected across 99 districts, 807 subdistricts and 6,071 villages. Authorities attributed the flooding to persistent heavy rain and water flowing south from northern river basins.
The Thai Meteorological Department forecast thunderstorms across around 60% of central and eastern Thailand and the southern east coast on 15 October, with isolated heavy rain in several provinces. Bangkok and surrounding areas faced a 70% chance of thundershowers. Residents in low-lying areas and near waterways were warned about flash floods and sudden runoff, while waves could exceed two metres during storms.
The DDPM separately issued flash-flood warnings for Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan. In Phitsanulok, a canal in Noen Maprang district was close to overflowing. In Nakhon Sawan, nine subdistricts in Lat Yao district were warned about incoming runoff and told to move vehicles and belongings to higher ground.
The situation has tourism relevance because the affected areas include Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Chonburi and other destinations used by international visitors. Thailand is also hosting the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok from 12–18 October. The government said the venue, 21 official hotels and transit routes from Suvarnabhumi Airport remained unaffected, with emergency monitoring in place. More than 15,000 participants from 190 countries are attending.
The warnings do not amount to a nationwide travel ban, but visitors should check hotel, road, rail, airport and attraction updates before travelling. Boat trips, beach activities and excursions near waterways may be disrupted during heavy storms.
