Thailand is facing a challenging week as the nation grapples with widespread flooding in 17 provinces, affecting over 100,000 households and resulting in at least 12 fatalities, just as the country prepares for the general election for the 26th House of Representatives. With the election scheduled for October 3-4, 2025, authorities are racing against time to provide relief and ensure safety for millions of citizens heading to the polls.
According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), as reported by Bangkok Biz News, the floods have impacted 100,235 households, totaling over 341,000 people. The deluge, which has persisted into early October, has hit provinces across northern, central, and even southern Thailand, including Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Sukhothai, Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Chaiyaphum, Chachoengsao, and Satun. The human toll has been sobering, with 12 lives lost as of the morning of October 4, 2025.
Officials are particularly concerned about the central region, where the Chao Phraya River’s water levels are expected to rise between October 4 and 9. The DDPM has issued warnings for Bangkok and ten other central provinces—including Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan—to brace for possible flooding as water is released from the Chao Phraya Dam. In response, authorities have mobilized disaster response teams and heavy machinery to assist affected communities.
“The DDPM has closely monitored the situation and coordinated with provincial officials to provide timely assistance to those in need,” Bangkok Biz News noted. The department has dispatched mobile units equipped with pumps and water purification equipment to hard-hit areas. For instance, in Sing Buri, large-scale pumps were deployed to drain floodwaters from urban neighborhoods into the river, while drinking water production vehicles distributed 5,000 bottles of clean water to residents in In Buri district. In Pathum Thani, diesel-powered pumps with a capacity of 28,000 liters per minute were installed to help lower water levels in Chiang Rak Yai.
The reason for the heightened flood risk is partly due to the Royal Irrigation Department increasing the discharge rate from the Chao Phraya Dam from 2,500 to 2,700 cubic meters per second. This adjustment, while necessary to manage upstream water, has caused water levels in low-lying areas outside flood barriers to rise by 0.1 to 0.4 meters. The DDPM has emphasized the importance of pre-positioning machinery and resources in vulnerable locations to accelerate response times should conditions deteriorate further.
As the nation’s attention turns to the general election for the House of Representatives, scheduled for October 3 and 4, the logistical challenges posed by the floods are significant. Voting will take place nationwide from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and ensuring access to polling stations—especially in inundated districts—has become a top priority for local governments and the Election Commission. The election, which will determine the makeup of the 26th House of Representatives, is a pivotal moment for Thailand, and there are concerns that the floods could suppress turnout or complicate the voting process in affected regions.
Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also serves as Minister of the Interior, has announced a high-profile visit to the flood-hit provinces of Surin and Buriram on October 3 and 4. According to the government spokesperson, Siripong Angkasakulkiat, the prime minister’s mission is to “monitor the situation along the border, follow up on relief and compensation efforts for those affected, and boost the morale of security personnel in the area.” He will be accompanied by key cabinet members, including Defense Minister General Natthaphon Nakpanich, Digital Economy Minister Chaichanok Chidchob, and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun.
The prime minister’s itinerary includes a briefing at Suranaree Task Force headquarters in Surin, a visit to frontline military bases, and meetings with local officials, village heads, and community leaders to discuss ongoing relief operations. On October 4, he is scheduled to meet residents affected by unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border and present new policy guidelines for compensation and assistance in Buriram. The government has stressed that the visit aims to “instill confidence among citizens and business operators in the area, as well as to reassure the public nationwide that the government is fully committed to safeguarding the safety and well-being of all Thais,” as stated by Siripong Angkasakulkiat and reported by thaigov.go.th.
“This inspection visit to Surin and Buriram is to closely monitor the unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border, to build confidence among the public and entrepreneurs in the area, and to assure the nation that the government prioritizes the safety and welfare of its people,” the government spokesperson explained. “We are emphasizing cooperation between security and administrative agencies to ensure relief efforts are swift and comprehensive, while also working to restore stability and peace along the border as quickly as possible.”
The government’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, but the scale of the disaster means that some communities remain in urgent need of support. Local officials have requested additional resources, particularly in provinces where the flooding is worsening. The DDPM has responded by sending more personnel and equipment to the most affected areas, and has urged all provinces in the floodplain to remain vigilant and ready to act if conditions deteriorate.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has been working closely with provincial authorities to ensure that voters in flood-affected areas can reach polling stations safely. Temporary walkways, boats, and alternative transportation have been arranged in some districts, while rescue teams stand ready to assist elderly or disabled voters. The government has called on citizens to exercise their right to vote, emphasizing that every effort is being made to guarantee a fair and accessible election despite the challenging circumstances.
As Thailand navigates this tumultuous period, the resilience of its people and the determination of its institutions are on full display. With the election underway and floodwaters still rising in some regions, the coming days will test the nation’s capacity to respond to crisis while upholding the democratic process. The outcome, both at the ballot box and on the ground, will shape the country’s path forward in more ways than one.
For now, the focus remains on immediate relief and recovery, with authorities urging citizens to stay alert, cooperate with rescue teams, and look out for one another. With decisive action and a spirit of unity, Thailand hopes to weather both the literal and political storms of this historic week.
