Nattapong led the People’s Party team to Nonthaburi, urging the government to swiftly clear debris and trash blocking waterways to prepare for the northern flood surge and high tides.
On 29 September 2026, Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, along with Detchrat Sukkamnerd, Director of the Future Policy Center of the People’s Party and Nonthaburi MP, visited the Bang Talat canal watergate under the Royal Irrigation Department to inspect accelerated water drainage preparations in response to the northern flood surge and high tides.
Nattapong stated that over the past three days, the People’s Party teams nationwide have distributed boxed meals, medicine, and drinking water to assist flood-affected residents. However, these food distributions remain insufficient compared to the needs of people enduring severe flooding. Therefore, the most critical task now is to restore normal life by reducing water levels as quickly as possible, especially between 29 September and 4 October, when high tides coincide with floodwaters from the north flowing into the Gulf of Thailand via the Chao Phraya River. Failure to expedite drainage during this period will prolong floodwaters.
A joint inspection with Royal Irrigation Department officials revealed a major obstacle: although water pumps operate at full capacity, water flow through canals to the watergate is severely hampered by silt, debris, and trash blocking waterways, slowing water level reduction in Nonthaburi. Furthermore, the Bang Talat watergate area adjacent to the Klong Praba canal, a main intake point for both Bangkok and Klong Bang Phut, showed significant canal sedimentation. Local authorities cannot dredge the canals due to regulations on soil disposal audits by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), which are time-consuming and restrictive, causing municipalities to avoid the risk. This issue affects local administrations nationwide.
"Given today's situation, I am concerned that drainage will be too slow to keep up with the incoming northern floodwaters. I urge residents to remain alert for flooding this weekend. To government agencies, I emphasize that in the three days before the northern flood arrives, you must work meticulously to clear trash and debris blocking waterways to accelerate drainage. Currently, many water pumps at gates stand ready to pump out water, but no water reaches them due to blockages," said Nattapong.
Additionally, the People’s Party leader called on the Prime Minister not to overlook citizens in other heavily flooded provinces such as Ayutthaya, which is facing a new inflow from the Pasak River, as well as Pak Chong, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chonburi, Chanthaburi, and Samut Prakan. Many of these areas are experiencing conditions more severe than Bangkok, yet government management remains inefficient.
After inspecting the water drainage points, Nattapong, together with Korn Mee Dee, Nonthaburi MP for District 4 of the People’s Party, led a team to distribute food to residents in Prachachuen Village Soi 7-10, where flooding remains severe and aid has not reached. During the visit, they encountered a service desk set up by Pak Kret Municipality for flood relief registration, accepting both paper and online applications, assuring payment within 24 hours. Nattapong praised Pak Kret Municipality’s rapid and convenient service and suggested that Bangkok adopt a similar model to assist flood victims in the capital.