Concerned for the public, Prime Minister Anutin urges provinces at risk of flooding to enhance monitoring of landslides and flash floods, prepare at least 72 hours’ worth of medicines and medical supplies, and orders the Department of Highways to open water drainage routes and elevate bridges to solve bottleneck points in water flow.
On 3 August 2026, Ms. Ploytale Laksamee Sangjan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that weather forecasts indicate above-average rainfall in August 2026, especially in the western, northern, upper northeastern, and eastern regions. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, concerned for public safety, emphasized that all provinces should strictly monitor and prepare response plans in advance, ensuring emergency measures to minimize impacts on citizens.
Ms. Ploytale added that from 3 to 6 August 2026, the upper Andaman Sea will see waves 2-3 meters high, posing risks to the public health system—including medical facilities, emergency medical service (EMS) routes, and vulnerable groups. The Ministry of Public Health is closely monitoring the situation to ensure safety for all citizens and patients, instructing all provincial health offices, especially in high-risk areas, to prepare for possible emergencies. This includes securing EMS routes, backup power, fuel, water, oxygen, medicines, blood, and medical supplies sufficient for at least 72 hours. Contingency plans for essential services, patient referrals, and care for vulnerable groups—especially dialysis patients, bedridden individuals, oxygen users, pregnant women, and those requiring ongoing medication—are to be ready and closely managed.
"The public, especially in the northern, upper northeastern, eastern, and western southern regions of Thailand, are advised to be cautious of heavy to very heavy rainfall and accumulated precipitation, which may cause flash floods, flash floods from mountain streams, and river overflows—particularly in foothill areas near waterways and lowlands. Boat operators in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea should exercise increased caution. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea are advised not to set out from 3 to 9 August 2026, and small boats in the Gulf of Thailand are advised not to sail from 7 to 9 August 2026."
Meanwhile, Ms. Lalida Pertwivatthana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, disclosed that the government under Prime Minister Anutin is actively addressing flood and drought issues in the "Bang Rakam Model" area of Phitsanulok Province with concrete measures. Mr. Pattharaphong Patraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, was assigned to visit the area to monitor issues and listen to public proposals to promptly establish both urgent and long-term solutions.
The Prime Minister has directed all ministers to visit communities to listen to citizens’ problems, so proposals and obstacles can be brought to Cabinet consideration and pushed for effective, tangible solutions. Bang Rakam District is a key water-receiving area of the Yom River basin, facing both flooding during the rainy season and drought in the dry season, continuously affecting residents’ quality of life and livelihoods.
Ms. Lalida added that field visits identified a critical bottleneck at the Yom River crossing at Ban Wang Ped Bridge in Bang Rakam District, where the under-bridge openings and river cross-section are insufficient, reducing drainage efficiency during floods. The Department of Highways is urgently opening water passageways to alleviate this problem before this year’s flood season and is studying and designing plans to raise the bridge to enhance drainage capacity and provide a sustainable solution to flooding in the long term. Furthermore, the Ministry of Transport has tasked the Department of Highways to design a new turnaround point and install additional lighting based on public suggestions to improve travel safety and convenience.
"The government prioritizes resolving recurrent flooding alongside developing transportation infrastructure to ensure public safety in travel, reduce flood impacts, and improve quality of life long-term. It will integrate efforts with all relevant agencies to ensure solutions are effective, tangible, and sustainable."