Decharat points out the government's failure in flood management and urges urgent, clear planning for handling northern water, cautioning against shifting the burden to individual provinces, which causes disputes among the people.
On 2 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Decharat Sukkamned, director of the Think Forward Center and head of the water situation monitoring task force of the People's Party, stated that society has clearly seen the government's failure in managing the recent flood crisis over the past week. More concerning is that the government remains unprepared and lacks a plan for water discharge and handling the new wave of northern water flow joining the system.
What the Prime Minister, as head of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Center, must do is develop a comprehensive water management plan and provide straightforward information to the public about the current water situation, how it will be discharged, and near-future conditions. This will ensure fairness in management and improve the efficiency of drainage systems.
Decharat explained that currently, especially the eastern side of Bangkok and its metropolitan area—flooded areas extending from Pathum Thani into Bangkok districts such as Sai Mai, Khlong Sam Wa, Nong Chok, Lat Krabang, and continuing to Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao provinces—can drain water through four main routes:
1. East side into the Bang Pakong River.
2. Northeast side into the Nakhon Nayok River.
3. West side into the Chao Phraya River.
4. South side into the Gulf of Thailand.
The problem is that the first three routes are limited due to high northern water levels causing elevated flooding, resulting in only 60% of the drainage capacity being usable in this area.
Decharat further explained that currently, the most efficient drainage route is the southern one, discharging into the Gulf of Thailand, operating at about 80% capacity. However, water moving from the north (Pathum Thani) to the south (Samut Prakan) must pass through canal and water gate systems of each province. Without proper coordination and decision-making, this creates pressure and tension between areas needing to discharge water to reduce flooding, transit areas, and downstream zones before reaching the sea.
Therefore, if the government and central agencies do not promptly allocate water flow routes and coordinate drainage systems between Bangkok and surrounding provinces to work harmoniously, overall drainage will be inefficient. This will cause citizens to endure higher and longer-lasting floods and may escalate unequal water burdens into conflicts between areas.
"If the government, which has the authority to command the entire water management system, fails to promptly clarify facts to the public and clearly explain the operational plans—how water will be discharged and at what rates—it means the government is neglecting its duties. It then leaves the burden to each province and local administrative organizations, each trying to prevent water from passing through their areas, ultimately causing conflicts and disputes among the communities themselves," Decharat said. Decharat concluded his remarks.