Thailand Floods Kill 23, Disrupt Bangkok Airport Operations
Rising death toll and severe weather strain infrastructure, leading to government aid approval and airline operational chaos.
The death toll from severe rains and flooding across Thailand has reached 23, officials reported Tuesday, as receding waters from the capital Bangkok revealed widespread disruption, including chaos at its main international airport. The government has approved a significant aid package to address the crisis.
Bangkok experienced torrential downpours last week, receiving approximately 320 mm (12.6 inches) of rain in three days, an amount close to its typical monthly average for September. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that major roads in the city were expected to be clear of floodwater within two days, though other inundated areas might take up to a week.
Nationwide, at least 23 individuals have died since September 16, with four fatalities reported in Bangkok. The floods have affected 42 provinces, causing an estimated $367 million in damage and posing a threat to the tourism-dependent economy.
Airport Disruptions
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand's largest international gateway, experienced significant operational issues, primarily impacting Thai Airways. The airline reported that half of its personnel were unable to report for work, crippling its services. Consequently, Thai Airways planned to cut about 30 flights, or roughly 30% of its scheduled departures from Bangkok, on Tuesday.
Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri noted that nearly all flights over the previous two days were delayed, with less than 3% operating on schedule due to unsustainable operational capacity. He anticipates a reduction in the airline's Bangkok flights to persist for at least three days.
Passengers at the airport described confusion and a lack of information regarding their luggage and onward travel. "Nobody knows anything. Nobody can help us. We can’t find our baggage," said Emir Demiroez, who was traveling from Azerbaijan and concerned about missing his connecting flight to Malaysia.
Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul criticized Thai Airways, suggesting the airline prioritized avoiding penalty charges by assigning its own staff to assist other airlines, thereby exacerbating its own operational problems. "This damages the country’s image," he stated, urging management to either improve performance or resign.
Government Response and Long-Term Planning
In response to the disaster, the Thai cabinet approved over 4 billion baht ($119 million) in aid. Additionally, a long-term drainage project valued at 160 billion baht ($4.8 billion) has been greenlit. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul indicated that this extensive project, expected to take eight years to complete, aims to significantly improve flood protection across the central region, Bangkok, and its surrounding areas.
