The government has empowered school administrators to immediately suspend classes if flooding occurs, taking a proactive stance for the 2026 flood season. Student safety is the highest priority, and teachers are encouraged to be flexible with homework submissions and exams during the crisis.
7 June 2026 GMT+7 Major Phatdarasmi Thongsaluaykorn, deputy spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed progress on preparedness efforts for monitoring and responding to flood emergencies in educational institutions. She said that based on joint assessments with the Meteorological Department and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the trends of flooding, landslides, and flash floods across all regions are intensifying each year. Reviewing data from the past three years, especially in 2025, nearly 2,000 schools were affected, impacting more than 160,000 students, with many schools experiencing repeated disasters.
Most recently, the government, through the Ministry of Education, has directed relevant agencies to shift from reactive to proactive approaches and implement short-term measures nationwide to prevent potential incidents. They emphasized close monitoring of weather forecasts and coordination with local administrative authorities. School leaders are authorized to assess risks and temporarily close schools immediately, adjusting teaching methods to online, hands-on, or on-demand formats as appropriate. At the same time, teachers are encouraged to relax homework and exam requirements during the crisis to support the mental wellbeing of students and parents.
Additionally, schools have been instructed to designate safe areas on their premises as temporary evacuation centers for communities if needed, and to report real-time situations via the Line application to swiftly approve survival kits and essential supplies.
The deputy government spokesperson also outlined long-term measures focusing on infrastructure restoration and building cooperation with local authorities for permanent solutions. Once normalcy returns, schools will expedite makeup exam plans, procure replacement learning materials, and coordinate with vocational community repair centers to dispatch technicians for immediate repairs. Schools are to report structural damages to request repair budgets from the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) on an urgent basis, and collaborate with local administrative organizations to improve drainage systems for schools and communities over the long term.