Pathum Thani's Rangsit faces a critical canal overflow. The governor plans to declare a disaster zone to unlock emergency budgets to aid and support affected residents.
On 26 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Ekawit Meepian, Governor of Pathum Thani, together with Police Lieutenant General Kamronwit Thupkrajang, President of the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization, Police Lieutenant Dr. Trilup Thupkrajang, Mayor of Rangsit City Municipality, and other officials welcomed Assistant Minister to the Ministry of Interior, Asst. Prof. Dr. Jakrapan Pornnimitr, and his team during their visit to monitor flood conditions and inspect the drainage system readiness in Pathum Thani.
The team visited the water drainage situation at Red Bridge, Canal 1, Prachathipat Subdistrict, Thanyaburi District, and met with and encouraged flood-affected residents in the Canal 1 Shrine community.
At 10:15 a.m., the team proceeded to Chulalongkorn Watergate and the semi-permanent watergate at Rangsit Canal mouth, Ban Mai Subdistrict, Mueang Pathum Thani District, to inspect and prepare for efficient pumping of water from Rangsit Prayurasak Canal into the Chao Phraya River.
The Ministry of Interior emphasized its concern for Pathum Thani residents and surrounding areas, integrating efforts among all parties including the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization, Royal Irrigation Department, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to assess the real situation and support local agencies in swiftly diverting water and alleviating residents' hardships.
Police Lieutenant Dr. Trilup reported that the water situation in Rangsit City is critical because Rangsit Prayurasak Canal serves as the main water collection point from Khlong Luang, Thanyaburi, and Lam Luk Ka Districts. Currently, the canal’s water level is equal to the ground level, so pumping water out of communities causes backflow despite all blockades being in place.
Police Lieutenant Dr. Trilup added that the most urgent task is to lower the water level in Rangsit Prayurasak Canal to enable drainage from communities. Once the canal level drops, the municipality is ready to pump out water within a day. Meanwhile, residents are advised to prepare by raising their valuables and closely monitor the situation.
Additionally, Rangsit Municipality has received support for water pumps from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization, and other agencies. They have also coordinated with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to consider opening the Sai Mai watergate to reduce water volume alongside diverting water eastward to the Bang Pakong River.
Regarding the increase of water discharge through the Chao Phraya Dam to 1,900 cubic meters per second, this will affect drainage into the Chao Phraya River due to higher external water levels combined with tidal surges.
However, compared to the 2022 crisis when the Chao Phraya River discharge reached 2,200–2,400 cubic meters per second flooding 84 communities, the current situation is less severe. The municipality will expedite coordination with all agencies to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Governor Ekawit Meepian is preparing to declare Pathum Thani Province as an emergency disaster assistance zone to unlock reserve and central emergency funds for providing relief to affected residents and supporting water drainage machinery in full cooperation with local administrative organizations.