Residents of Romklao Housing Estate are overwhelmed and unable to bear it any longer as a massive pile of flood-damaged waste nearly 2 meters high blocks the entrance to their homes, causing severe hardship. They point to failures in management by the government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), stressing that the blame should not be shifted to the public rather than authorities responsible.
On 7 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Pornprom Na S. Wikitset, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, visited Romklao Housing Estate to oversee restoration, cleaning, and large waste collection after floodwaters receded. Romklao was among the hardest-hit areas, with all homes flooded and most household items damaged. During the visit, media reported a huge waste pile at Romklao Soi 28, dumped from the alley entrance blocking passage. Residents were appealing for help, saying they could barely live there due to the foul smell from the garbage.
Following this, Mr. Pornprom and the media walked from the 60th Birthday Anniversary Park of Her Majesty the Queen to Romklao Soi 28, where they found a large waste pile. Residents had stacked their flood-damaged belongings, completely blocking the alley entrance.
Mr. Pornprom spoke with affected homeowners and explained that four agencies are involved in waste collection, dividing the area into zones with external reinforcements assisting fully. The collected waste is being dumped nearby to avoid long hauls and save time. The BMA has coordinated with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) to bring garbage compactors to the alley entrance and then move inward. However, narrow alleys prevent garbage trucks and compactors from entering, so manual labor is required to move waste to the main street. Romklao Estate is not the only area with this issue; many sub-alleys also suffer from waste blocking paths. Local authorities in Lat Krabang District have deployed machinery to help remove waste from Romklao Soi 28.
Ms. Earth said the pile of waste has been in front of her house for three days since 5 Oct 2026 GMT+7. Although the community leader announced designated waste disposal points, such as the entrance to Romklao Soi 28, the sheer volume of waste means placing it all in one spot would block the entire alley. Therefore, residents reluctantly placed waste nearby their homes, despite signs forbidding dumping there, out of empathy for neighbors suffering and needing shelter.
Ms. Earth also questioned the BMA’s prioritization in waste collection. Waste accumulation began on 5 Oct, but some areas received quicker cleanup efforts. For example, yesterday, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, was livestreaming in front of Ms. Theerarat Samretwanich’s office, where the waste was promptly cleared—merely because a senior official visited—even though that location did not block traffic or residents' homes.
“We understand that BMA and officials are working hard, but this problem reflects inefficiencies in management and communication. Only rescue teams, the private sector, and residents themselves have stepped up to help,” local residents stated. Residents in the area expressed frustration at social media criticism that disparaged Romklao Housing Estate residents as undisciplined and responsible for poor cleanliness.
They emphasized that blaming and worsening the situation for residents is unfair. Both the BMA and government, with their budgets, capacity, and manpower, should urgently intervene to manage the waste and relieve the suffering of flood victims fairly and quickly, rather than leaving those affected behind.