Flooding in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province has submerged a mosque under nearly 2 meters of water, forcing the relocation of burial sites. The deceased were transported by flat-bottomed boat to a new location.
On 7 Oct 2026 GMT+7, reporters covered the flood situation in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya after the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat Province released water downstream at 2,500 cubic meters per second, while the Rama VI Dam in Tha Ruea District released 720 cubic meters per second into the Pa Sak River. The Pa Sak River's flow combined with the Chao Phraya caused rising water levels near Bang Pa-in District.
The Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported that flooding has affected 16 districts, 205 subdistricts, 1,338 villages, and 63 communities, impacting 59,633 households. There has been one reported death in Sena District.
Reporters surveyed flooding in Village No. 6, Ban Len Subdistrict, Bang Pa-in District, adjacent to the Chao Phraya River. They found water levels rising in riverside communities, with many homes flooded at floor level, forcing residents to move belongings higher. Some households live daily amid indoor floodwaters.
At Ban Len Market, also known as Nai Market, an old marketplace, water levels inside reached about 10-15 cm. The fresh market area, being higher, remained unflooded. Many vendors raised goods above water or moved to sell in front of the old district office adjacent to the market. Vendors inside the fresh market continued selling since it was dry. At night, floodwaters rose in the community and market due to tidal effects.
Interviewed vendor P' Tan, 53, said the floodwaters overflowed into the market about four days ago, rising and falling with the tide. Today’s flood was higher than usual with less recession. Flooding occurs annually, varying in severity. She lifts goods above water to prevent damage and finds flooding exhausting due to cleanup. If waters rise too much, some shops relocate to the old district office area, which is higher and safe from flooding.
A grocery store vendor said the market has been flooded about 3-4 days. His store is facing water intrusion, so items are raised above flood level. Every year they move goods to avoid water damage. If flooding worsens, they plan to build brick barriers to protect the shop. Regular customers still come by wading through water to buy goods.
Ms. Salee Emminom, 65, a curry vendor, prepared food amid rising floodwaters. Normally, water would recede by morning, but today it remained high. Flooding complicates daily cooking routines, requiring adjustments based on fluctuating water levels. She sets up her curry stall in front of the district office because the market is flooded.
Ms. Parichad Phudamrong, 50, a resident living in a house flooded about 10 cm, said her home has a bedridden husband and a 2-year-old child. Flooding varies yearly in depth, as the area is low-lying. The area where her husband and granddaughter stay remains unflooded.
Similarly, Mr. Kai, 53, lives in a house partly flooded. Some belongings are raised above water, but others remain submerged. The kitchen and bedroom are flooded, though still livable. If water rises further, they will have to relocate. Currently, life is difficult with disrupted work and income.
Flooding in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya also affects religious ceremonies. At the Darus Sunnah Mosque in Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict, floodwaters from the Chao Phraya River have reached nearly 2 meters, including the burial grounds, preventing normal funeral rites.
A village headman said that due to flooding at the mosque and burial site, they coordinated with the 'MP Beer' team and 'Chat Talad Thai' group to assist in relocating the body of Ms. Sirichan, 62, who had underlying health conditions, from the mosque to conduct religious rites and burial at a new location.
The funeral ceremony was initially moved to Nurul Yamal Islamic School, Village No. 5, Lumphli Subdistrict, which remains unflooded, allowing religious rites and burial to proceed.
Relocating the body was challenging because the mosque surroundings were fully flooded, and the deceased weighed approximately 120 kilograms. Officials and locals carefully carried the body down stairs before placing it onto a flat-bottomed boat.
The boat then navigated the Chao Phraya River and flooded communities to transport the deceased to Nurul Yamal Islamic School, prepared for the ceremony and burial. The operation faced difficulties from high floodwaters and the necessity of boat travel.