Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thongsri visited Samut Prakan to monitor water conditions and admitted the current situation is "unmanageable" due to flooding across Bangkok. This is because many canals are full and cannot accommodate water from inner areas, after he previously stated the situation was "manageable."
On 26 September 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thongsri, accompanied by Samut Prakan Governor Supamit Chinsri, traveled to Samut Prakan Province to monitor the situation and water management. They held a meeting with the governor and relevant agencies at the Suvarnabhumi Pumping Station in Bang Pu Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Prakan Province.
After the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak addressed the drainage problem, saying that draining water from inner areas to the sea is critical because canals must have enough capacity to receive incoming water. However, many canals are currently full, preventing water from inner areas from flowing into them for drainage. This has caused pumping water from one area to another to sometimes cycle back, as water cannot be fully discharged from the system.
The Deputy Prime Minister commented on the rainfall situation, saying that prior meetings reviewed weather forecasts and preparations for heavy rain from 20-27 September, with predicted rainfall amounts. However, actual accumulated rainfall in some areas exceeded 100 millimeters, higher than expected. He had previously stated the government could manage the water situation and used the phrase "manageable," but with continued heavy rain and high water accumulation, the current situation in Bangkok and surrounding areas has become "unmanageable."
He added that related agencies have prepared response measures, including equipment, personnel, clearing waterway obstructions, and preparing shelters and facilities to accommodate residents in case evacuations become necessary.
However, the key factor now is that rainfall has exceeded expectations, increasing the burden on drainage systems. Many canals are full, so urgent water management is needed to pump water from inner areas to the sea to free up canal capacity for receiving and draining new water.
Deputy Prime Minister Somsak also said that if water cannot be drained from areas, pumping water from one point to another may cause it to cycle back. Therefore, the critical challenge is ensuring continuous water flow out of inner areas and drainage into the sea.