“City Control Game” Three candidates for Bangkok governor unveiled their visions to address flooding at Lat Phrao Intersection after rainfall. Anucha framed Bangkok as a city that must pump water and advised on how to do so most rapidly. Meanwhile, Dr. Joe pointed out that Bangkok’s flooding clearly reflects social inequality and offered solutions to the problem.
On 8 June 2026, during a special program “City Control Game” This competition tests the visions of Bangkok governor candidates to see clearly who can effectively resolve the capital’s problems. It probes in depth through challenging missions such as a puzzle test of insight, a city crisis tier list, and probing questions for the governor candidates, hosted by Pa Toy and Kai Pongsakorn.
During the puzzle test of insight segment, “Image of accumulated flooding at Lat Phrao Intersection” The first person to reveal and respond to the image was Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, an independent candidate for Bangkok governor, who explained that Bangkok’s flooding issues stem from three types of water: rainwater, upstream water, and tidal water.
The image shows rainwater. We must drain rainwater into the Chao Phraya River via drainage pipes and tunnels. Initially, there were 737 flood-prone spots. For this location, there is the Vibhavadi canal, which must carry water into the canal and then into a nearby drainage tunnel that discharges into the Chao Phraya River at Bang Sue. However, this drainage tunnel is under construction, preventing water flow.
Therefore, the key is to move water to a point where it can be drained. Once the canal is completed, this spot will no longer flood. “Flooding is science, not superstition.” Out of 737 flood-prone points, we have resolved 70%, and the remaining 30% must be addressed progressively. Each point involves multiple interconnected projects. Thus, solving rainwater flooding means draining into the Chao Phraya River, creating fine drainage networks, and continuously clearing drainage pipes.
As for upstream and tidal water, which come together, the solution is to build embankments along the Chao Phraya River where there are breaches or gaps. We have already fixed most of these, with about 20 spots left. Once these are completed, the problem will be resolved.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chaiwat Sathaworawijit, or “Dr. Joe,” candidate for Bangkok governor from the Prachachon Party, stated that flooding is a problem that very clearly reflects social inequality. At the national policy level, we see provinces that receive water and those that are protected, similar to Bangkok, which has areas where water drains quickly and others where it drains slowly, mostly in densely populated communities. If I become governor, I will work to reduce this inequality as much as possible.
Currently, Bangkok clears 55% of its drainage pipes. I would allocate 100% of the budget to pipe clearing. Regarding breaches along the Chao Phraya embankments, we will build water barriers at every breach point to prevent further leaks.
For long-term structural solutions, we will separate rainwater from sewage so that rainwater can drain faster and prevent flooding.
Meanwhile, Mr. Anucha Burapachaisri, candidate for Bangkok governor from the Democrat Party, said the first action during heavy rain is to deploy personnel to various points to assist, such as helping with broken-down vehicles that cause traffic jams.
Next is traffic regulation, using AI to coordinate and prevent bottlenecks. Then, pipe clearing is important. Crucially, water must be quickly drained into the Vibhavadi canal to divert water into the Lat Phrao canal, increasing drainage capacity, and strive to channel as much water as possible into the Bang Sue canal. Flooding persists because the drainage tunnel system is not yet fully comprehensive. If given the chance, I would prioritize this issue.
Flooding should no longer occur in a city like Bangkok. Giant drainage tunnels must be networked more extensively to connect to various canals.
Bangkok is a city that requires water pumping. We must pump water as fast as possible to prevent flooding. This is the challenge I would address by allocating the entire Bangkok budget to solve the city’s flooding problems.