Anucha Buppha-chaisri, Democrat Party candidate for Bangkok governor, met with the director of Bang Rak District to discuss flooding before the Bangkok Pride 2026 parade. He reaffirmed the policy of the giant water drainage tunnel project for Bangkok and encountered Chadchart, exchanging greetings and a heart-hand gesture with him.
At 16:30 on 31 May 2026 GMT+7. Mr. Anucha Buppha-chaisri, Democrat Party candidate for governor of Bangkok, along with the Democrat Party candidates for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC), participated in the parade at the Bangkok Pride Festival 2026 on Silom Road. Before the event began, a sudden heavy rain caused water to pool and flood the road and spill over the sidewalks. Mr. Anucha and his team quickly adjusted plans to inspect the flooding issues and spoke with Mrs. Pornpan Watsansin, director of Bang Rak District, to inquire about the reasons for delayed water drainage.
Mrs. Pornpan said that this area is a low point. The end of the drainage pipes has a higher slope than the Sathorn Canal, preventing water from flowing naturally into the canal and requiring water pumps to assist. Additionally, ongoing road and sidewalk renovations have temporarily narrowed drainage pipes. Although budget issues do not hinder repairs, finding contractors in the city center is difficult due to traffic restrictions. The drainage pipes are also very old; areas from Central Department Store Bang Rak to Lerdsin Hospital frequently face sediment buildup and blockages.
Mr. Anucha commented on the overall flooding problem, "What we see today is that even short rainfalls cause flooding. The urgent solution is to push forward the completion of the large underground water drainage tunnel project to accelerate water flow into the Chao Phraya River and the Gulf of Thailand as quickly as possible. Bangkok is a low-lying area; we should not fight nature. Thus, we rely on water pumps, floodgates, and divert water to large pumps on the eastern side, such as at Khlong Dan in Samut Prakan Province. Besides addressing problems locally, we must look at the big picture to prioritize Bangkok’s issues and implement mega-projects for sustainable flood management, restoring Bangkok’s status as the City of Angels."
Later, Mr. Anucha joined the Bangkok Pride Festival 2026 parade and emphasized that the Democrat Party values openness and genuine equality in society. Bangkok must be a safe space free from bullying in schools, and all levels of Bangkok government officials must understand and provide equal services to citizens in all departments, whether at district offices, schools, or hospitals, without discrimination based on gender or identity.
He also declared his support for Bangkok to fully bid to host the global World Pride event in 2030. The Pride event has brought international recognition to Bangkok, attracting tourists from Asia and Europe. If Bangkok is selected as the host in four years, we are ready to support all aspects and will not limit activities to the parade period alone, but create year-round events that attract visitors. Moving forward, Bangkok and its civil servants must remain open to information, learn, and adapt alongside societal changes."
Reporters noted that during the event, Mr. Anucha and the Democrat Party team unexpectedly met Mr. Chadchart Sitthipunt, former Bangkok governor and current candidate for governor, who greeted each other warmly. Mr. Anucha performed the traditional wai gesture to Mr. Chadchart, who responded with a wai and the two clasped hands. Mr. Chadchart remarked, "We are from the same generation," and both formed a heart shape with their joined hands for the media before parting to continue campaigning.
