Drought, Wildfire & Flood Resilience

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his capacity as Director of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command, chaired a meeting of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command at the C.S. Pattani Hotel in Mueang Pattani District, Pattani Province, to monitor the situation and relief efforts for flood victims in the southern region. Provincial governors from the southern provinces attended the meeting. The Prime Minister said that according to forecasts from the Meteorological Department, many provinces remain at risk of flooding from heavy rainfall expected to cover almost every province in the south, from Phetchaburi Province down to Malaysia, from now until the end of October 2026, with no sign of easing. It is therefore necessary to rehearse and prepare, with emphasis on advance forecasting, preparing shelters to evacuate residents, especially vulnerable groups, bedridden patients and the elderly, as well as safeguarding the food supply chain, including raw materials, fresh food, vegetable oil, gas and seasonings, and coordinating with food and transport operators. Disaster-response machinery, water pumps, pumping equipment, motorboats and vehicles must be prepared in advance. The Prime Minister issued 7 guidelines for preparing to manage the flood situation in the south: monitoring and assessing the situation to designate risk areas and watch points; inspecting and improving drainage systems; preparing personnel and resources through integration between areas; evacuating and warning the public; monitoring, following up and reporting results to the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and the Ministry of Interior; publicizing clear emergency reporting channels; and establishing readiness centers for each agency to integrate operations in a unified manner.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a meeting of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command and ordered all provinces to prepare for a new round of heavy rain, while accelerating recovery in areas where floodwaters have receded and speeding up compensation payments to victims. He instructed provinces with eligible residents to expedite surveys and submit name lists to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation so that funds can be transferred as soon as reports are received. So far, assistance has been transferred to 48,600 households, or about 12% of the estimated total. The prime minister also ordered close monitoring of the situation, especially in all 14 southern provinces, as well as Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan. The Meteorological Department reported that Surat Thani recorded the highest rainfall at 92.55 millimetres, while Bangkok saw a maximum of 44 millimetres, and southern Thailand is expected to see continuous rain until 14 October 2026, with special vigilance from Surat Thani south to Yala and Narathiwat. The Royal Irrigation Department reported that the Chao Phraya Dam is releasing water at 2,200 cubic metres per second, down from a previous peak of 2,500 cubic metres per second, and that medium and large reservoirs nationwide are about 83% full. It said the Pa Sak Jolasid Dam, Nong Pla Lai Reservoir and Kaeng Krachan Dam require close monitoring. The prime minister also instructed the Ministry of Public Health to plan the transfer of patients from Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital to other hospitals in Prachin Buri province, including military camp hospitals and armed forces hospitals, distributing patients according to each facility's capacity rather than concentrating them at Chakraphong Hospital alone. Next week, about 20,000 participants from 190 countries will attend a World Bank meeting, so relevant agencies were asked to assess and forecast the situation accurately.

The government is accelerating efforts to lower water levels in at-risk areas and prepare for a new wave of rain from October 9 to 13, 2026. Ekkaphop Pienpiset, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, said rainfall will be especially heavy from October 10 to 12, particularly in the western region, and that from October 13 onward the South will see increasing rain. Water levels in the Chao Phraya River are trending downward, with discharge through the Chao Phraya Dam at 2,350 cubic metres per second, and the water level above the dam has fallen to 16.03 metres. Areas still requiring special monitoring are Prachin Buri, Nakhon Nayok and Chachoengsao provinces, where widespread flooding persists. Meanwhile, Pasak Chonlasit Dam, managed jointly with Rama VI Dam, is expected to help lower water levels in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province by about 10 to 20 centimetres in the near term. In Bangkok, 80 communities across 9 districts remain flooded, with plans to speed up drainage on the eastern side so the situation eases within the coming week. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is preparing to transfer the first batch of relief payments to 8,219 households, totalling 68.003 million baht, into their accounts today, after 1,422,167 households registered through the Thang Rath application.

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking is preparing a letter to the Prime Minister to push the government to expedite preparations for coping with Thailand's flood threat, after the current flooding has affected the public, businesses, especially SMEs, the agricultural sector, and industrial production, particularly the automotive industry and its supply chain in the central and eastern regions, as well as the tourism sector. Dr. Poj Aramwattananont, Chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand, disclosed that the government must spend an average of 50 billion to 60 billion baht per year to remedy damage from natural disasters, while the water management programme worth about 500 billion baht has private-sector support, but its details must be studied clearly and all relevant parties must be given the opportunity to share their views. The committee also called for faster resolution of air cargo problems, which involve goods worth about 2.42 trillion baht, or roughly one-third of the total value of exports, because Suvarnabhumi Airport is still plagued by congestion and flooding has caused flight delays and cancellations, especially during the year-end tourism season and as Thailand prepares to host the IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026 from 12 to 18 October 2026, which will bring together more than 15,000 leaders and executives from around the world. It also proposed that private-sector representatives be included on the National Water Resources Committee and its three subcommittees on water management: the subcommittee driving the water management master plan and key projects, the subcommittee directing water resource management, and the subcommittee developing criteria and innovations for water resource management under the Office of the National Water Resources. Meanwhile, the 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan for 2028–2032 targets Thai economic growth of no less than 3% per year and GDP expansion of 5.5% in target industries, and the committee is ready to help drive this through the Joint Public-Private Consultative Committee mechanism in three phases: Stabilize Today, Transition Now, and Invest for Tomorrow. At the same time, crude oil prices are still rising and the yield on 30-year US long-term bonds has reached 5%, the highest in 20 years, pushing up long-term bond yields in many countries including Thailand in September, which affects private-sector borrowing costs and leaves the baht at risk of weakening.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt explained that the Bueng Khu Bon and Bueng Bang Chan projects are studies by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration that apply the monkey cheek concept, not projects directly stemming from royal initiatives. He confirmed that the consideration was based on academic data, drainage efficiency, budget value, and public benefit. After the major flood in 2011, the Drainage Department studied approaches for creating six water retention ponds, with four projects previously halted after public consultation processes. Bueng Khu Bon and Bueng Bang Chan remained as the two projects under continued consideration. But upon reviewing the details, the investment amounts were found to be high, so they had to be compared with other approaches. According to the consultant team's study, the system-wide monkey cheek approach would cost about 11 billion baht, while the approach of improving canals and the drainage system would cost about 6.7 billion baht. The BMA therefore considered improving canals to convey water faster, alongside enhancing the efficiency of Bueng Nong Bon and the drainage tunnel system. On the issue of connections with a real estate company, Chadchart stated that he had previously served as an executive of Quality Houses Public Company Limited, which had filed an objection to a project in the Phatthanakan area through the process prescribed by law. But decisions about the project are the authority of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and the cancellation of the project occurred during the term of a previous Bangkok governor, while he did not hold the position at that time. As for water management principles, an effective monkey cheek must have water retention areas, water intake systems, and appropriate water discharge systems. Bueng Khu Bon and Bueng Bang Chan have a combined capacity of about 1 million cubic meters, while the volume of rainwater in Bangkok is large and spread across many areas, so the entire drainage system must be considered, not just increasing water storage areas alone. Chadchart stressed that the BMA is ready to listen to additional information from all parties. If there is new information, technical proposals, or facts that differ from the data currently used in its consideration, the Drainage Department is ready to examine and review them carefully.

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking is preparing a letter to the prime minister to press the government to speed up consideration of flood preparedness measures, and is proposing that private-sector representatives be appointed to the National Water Resources Committee and to all three of its water-management subcommittees: the subcommittee driving the water management master plan and key projects, the subcommittee directing water resource management, and the subcommittee developing innovation criteria for water resource management under the Office of the National Water Resources. Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and chair of the joint committee's meeting, said the committee resolved to set up an ad-hoc task force to assess the impact of flooding and to draft proposals on preparedness and recovery, in order to draw up an integrated plan for managing water across the entire system, while supporting assistance to those affected and accelerating the recovery of economic activity in concrete terms. The joint committee views natural disasters as becoming a structural risk to the Thai economy, with the government having to spend an average of 50 to 60 billion baht a year to remedy damage from natural disasters. Panithan Pavoralarnwittaya, secretary-general of the Federation of Thai Industries, estimated that damage to industrial plants from this year's floods already totals about 6 billion baht and could rise further, especially at auto-parts plants forced to halt production temporarily. If the problem is not resolved by October 12, it will begin to affect the automotive industry, because parts cannot be delivered for vehicle assembly.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered all provinces to integrate water drainage plans across areas seamlessly, and instructed them to monitor expected increases in rainfall in the South from October 10 to 12, 2026, while presiding over a meeting of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command on October 7, 2026. He noted that the situation in many areas has begun to ease and water levels have dropped, but some provinces still have standing floodwater that cannot be drained, particularly Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao. On relief for affected residents, payments have been approved for more than 10,400 households, totaling about 94 million baht, and the process is to follow the First Come First Serve principle so that the money reaches people as quickly as possible. As for the water situation, the Chao Phraya Dam is still releasing water at a rate of 2,500 cubic meters per second, while the Mae Klong River has reduced its discharge from more than 2,000 cubic meters per second to more than 900 cubic meters per second. Water levels in dams nationwide stand at about 82% of capacity. In the case of roughly 2,000 pigs that died in Prachin Buri province, the Department of Livestock Development has buried about 1,500 of them and will accelerate the remaining approximately 500 to be completed within today.

The Meteorological Department has issued its first advisory on heavy to very heavy rain in Thailand, stating that from 9 to 13 October 2026 the whole country will see volatile weather, with thunderstorms, gusty winds, hail, and heavy to very heavy rain in some areas. On 9 October, the lower Northeast and the South will be affected. On 10-11 October, the lower North, the lower Northeast, the Central region including Bangkok and its vicinity, the East, and the South will be affected. On 12 October, the lower Central region including Bangkok and its vicinity, and the South will be affected. On 13 October, the South will be affected. The cause is a high-pressure area, or cold air mass, from China spreading down to cover upper Thailand, together with a monsoon trough lying across the upper South, while the southwest monsoon continues to blow over the Andaman Sea, the South, and the Gulf of Thailand. Waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand in areas of thunderstorms will exceed 2 metres high. Meanwhile, Chayan Muangsong, Secretary-General of the National Water Resources Office, disclosed that the Prime Minister has ordered agencies to prepare personnel, equipment, machinery, evacuation areas, and systematic water management plans. Bhumibol Dam, Sirikit Dam, and Khwae Noi Bamrung Daen Dam have maximally reduced their water releases to help downstream areas, except for Pa Sak Jolasid Dam, whose water volume exceeds its storage capacity and which must release water at 500 cubic metres per second, to be gradually reduced once the water level is brought under control. Chao Phraya Dam will begin gradually reducing its release today from 2,500 cubic metres per second to 2,400 cubic metres per second. As for the Bang Pakong River Basin, water masses from Sa Kaeo, Prachin Buri, and Nakhon Nayok provinces are converging in Chachoengsao province. Si Yat Dam, Naruebodindrachinta Dam, and Khun Dan Prakarn Chon Dam have held back part of the water mass, but water-pushing machines must be installed to speed up drainage into the sea. For the Mae Klong River Basin, Mae Klong Dam has already reduced its releases and the situation is beginning to ease, while Srinagarind Dam and Vajiralongkorn Dam will manage water so as not to affect downstream areas. For the Phetchaburi-Prachuap Khiri Khan River Basin, Kaeng Krachan Dam has water exceeding its storage capacity, so it must be monitored and water drained from the dam quickly to make room for rain. Meanwhile, Samut Prakan province is accelerating pumping to drain water into the sea to reduce the level of standing floodwater in the area.

Water levels in Bangkok are trending better. Lalida Peritswiwatana, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, told the Joint Information Center on the flood situation, known as JICC, that only Chalong Krung Road remains flooded, and asked the public to avoid that route. At the Kheha Rom Klao community in Lat Krabang district, water levels have dropped by more than the target of 25 centimetres a day and are now at a passable level, with water remaining only in small side streets; it is expected to be drained within two to three days. In Nong Chok, Prawet, Saphan Sung and Sai Mai, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is continuing to pump water out. On registration for assistance, as of 8.30 a.m. more than 49,000 people had registered via the website claim.bangkok.go.th, with Lat Krabang district having the most registrants, followed by Bang Kapi and Sai Mai. Siritorn Somsuwan, director of the Publicity and Public Relations Division of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said that as of 7.50 a.m. today, two provinces had sent confirmation data to the department: Sa Kaeo with 594 households and Krabi with 17 households, a total of 611 households. The Government Savings Bank will transfer assistance money to the first batch of flood victims during the morning of 8 October 2026, in line with the prime minister's instruction to pay out assistance gradually without waiting for all data to be complete. In addition to the 65 provinces covered by the cabinet resolution, the department has proposed adding one more province, Samut Songkhram, where more than 20,000 households have been affected, and is awaiting a cabinet resolution within today. Jirawut Suwanart, deputy director-general of the Department of Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce, said the floods damaged vegetable-growing areas in Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom and Chachoengsao, so the department has linked vegetables from Phetchabun and Nakhon Ratchasima to distribution centres in Bangkok, causing vegetable prices to begin easing. It has also asked egg exporters to delay shipments until December 2026 and asked producers and large farms to hold the farm-gate price of eggs at 4 baht per egg. The shortfall in egg supply is expected to be made up by the end of October, and Blue Flag discount fairs will be held in Bangkok from 9 to 18 October 2026, with the regions starting on 16 October 2026, once a month per province, 12 times per province. Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, said a survey of 157 medical facilities in 23 provinces found 88 operating normally, 14 partially closed and 55 temporarily closed, while more than 235,132 proactive medical services have been provided and medicines and medical supplies supported. Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri province has moved patients to Fort Chakraphong Hospital and a field hospital at Fort Chakraphong, mobilising more than 300 medical personnel to provide services. The Ministry of Public Health has also prepared for more rain in the southern region by stockpiling at least one week of medicines and medical supplies, at least 10 days of food, and at least 7 days of drinking water and oxygen.

Quanta Services raised its full-year 2026 free cash flow outlook to $2-$2.5 billion, alongside operating cash flow expectations of $2.9-$3.4 billion, after a strong first half. In the second quarter, Quanta generated operating cash flow of $1.10 billion and free cash flow of $886 million, bringing first-half free cash flow to $1.07 billion, sharply higher than $288 million in the comparable 2025 period. Management attributed the second-quarter strength partly to favorable working-capital dynamics, particularly from large-load and renewable projects, while days sales outstanding improved to 57 days. The outlook is underpinned by a record $53.4 billion backlog, expanding project activity and rising investment in electric grids, power generation, data centers and other mission-critical infrastructure. Quanta still expects roughly $900 million of net capital expenditures in 2026, and cash generation could fluctuate with project timing, working-capital requirements, acquisitions, weather, permitting, supply-chain issues, inflation and project execution. Quanta competes with MasTec and EMCOR Group across power, electrical and mission-critical infrastructure markets; MasTec reported negative $59 million of free cash flow in the second quarter, while EMCOR posted record remaining performance obligations of $17.14 billion.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed all agencies to manage water situations and transport systems to support the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, to be held from October 12 to 18, 2026, in Bangkok, which will bring delegates from 191 countries and approximately 15,000 accompanying persons into Thailand. Government spokesman Ekapop Pienpiset said the Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command to monitor flood situations and assistance to the public, issuing eight directives covering the drainage of reservoirs and waterways that are full or nearly full; the removal of waterway obstructions at bottlenecks, bridges, drainage pipes and underpasses; more precise targeting of risk areas; the mobilization of machinery from the public and private sectors; the immediate start of rehabilitation in zones where water has receded; preparation of rehabilitation plans and compensation for eligible households; discussions with the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives on assistance for farmers whose crops were damaged; and consideration of reducing or waiving water and electricity charges for flood-affected households by waterworks and electricity agencies at both central and regional levels. He also instructed Airports of Thailand and the Ministry of Transport to fully manage inbound and outbound passenger travel and transport, and to expedite the return of services to normal as quickly as possible, in order to build confidence in Thailand's ability to host participants and attract foreign investment.

The National Water Resources Office has issued announcement No. 9/2569, warning of waterlogging, flash floods, forest runoff and riverbank overflow during 5-7 October 2569. At-risk areas cover the North, the Central region including Bangkok and its vicinity, the East, the West and several provinces in the South. The office instructed close monitoring of large, medium and small reservoirs holding more than 80% of their storage capacity, along with watching for sudden rises in water levels and bank overflow in low-lying areas along major rivers and their tributaries, such as the Ping River, the Sakae Krang River, the Khwae Noi River, the Pa Sak River, the Tha Chin River, the Nakhon Nayok River, the Prachin Buri River, the Chanthaburi River, the Trat River, the Khwae Yai River and the Kolok River. As for water conditions at the three main dams in the Eastern Economic Corridor area, Bang Phra Reservoir stands at 82%, or 95 million cubic metres; Nong Pla Lai Reservoir at 103%, or 168 million cubic metres; and Prasae Reservoir at 100%, or 294 million cubic metres. Meanwhile, in the Chao Phraya basin as of 6:00 a.m. today, station P.17 in Banphot Phisai district, Nakhon Sawan province, recorded a water level of 35.45 metres above mean sea level, 2.80 metres below the bank, with a downward trend. Station N.67 in Chum Saeng district recorded 26.05 metres above mean sea level, 2.16 metres below the bank, also trending down. Station C.2 in Mueang Nakhon Sawan district showed a flow rate of 2,038 cubic metres per second, with a water level of 22.84 metres above mean sea level, 2.86 metres below the bank, while the Chao Phraya Dam is discharging water at 2,500 cubic metres per second.

Bnomics by Bangkok Bank released an analysis warning that flooding is not merely a problem of heavy rainfall, but reflects that cities cannot handle the water, with damage spreading to GDP and supply chains. It points out that Thailand must shift its mindset from 'draining water' to 'living with water.' The analysis cites a World Bank assessment that the great flood of 2011 caused damage and losses of approximately 1.43 trillion baht, or 12.6% of GDP. The report Thailand Economic Monitor: Coping with Floods and Droughts estimates that if in 2030 Thailand faces flooding at a level with roughly a one-in-50-year probability, similar to the 2011 event, production losses could exceed 10% of GDP, and could be even higher if supply chains cannot adapt well enough. Singapore once had about 32 square kilometres of flood-prone area in the 1970s, but after decades of continuous investment in upgrading its systems, that has now fallen to less than 0.25 square kilometres, a reduction of more than 99%. For Thailand, in the 2017–2026 fiscal years, the integrated water resource management plan was allocated a total budget of more than 600 billion baht, with the 2025 fiscal year at approximately 62,621 million baht and 2026 at approximately 63,421 million baht. This budget covers water for consumption and use, water for agriculture, drought response, water source rehabilitation, and flood prevention. The World Bank therefore proposes that Thailand use Cost-Benefit Analysis systematically to prioritise flood and drought response measures, alongside investment in infrastructure, early warning systems, and Nature-based Solutions.

Ms. Lalida Peritswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, said at the Joint Information Center for the Flood Situation, or JICC, that the Prime Minister has ordered provinces still affected by flooding to keep personnel and resources in place to continue assisting the public, and instructed relevant agencies to speed up efficient water management and drainage. The Meteorological Department indicated that rain will increase in the Northeast on 5-7 October, then shift to the West, and during 11-14 October there will be heavy or persistent rain in the Central region from Nakhon Sawan province southward, with rainfall of 100 millimetres, before moving toward the South. The Chao Phraya Dam is under control; inflow is trending downward, while downstream discharge is 2,500 cubic metres per second. Chai Nat, Sing Buri and Ang Thong provinces must be closely monitored, with their situation holding steady, while Ayutthaya province remains affected. Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi provinces are stable, with impacts in riverside areas. For Bangkok, the flood barriers remain unaffected, with water at the lowest point of the barriers at about 90 centimetres; Khlong Chan is dry, and the Rom Klao area saw water drop by 30 centimetres on 1 October. Mr. Parinya Chantakup, Director of the Water Quality Management Academic Division of the Bangkok Drainage Bureau, said Bangkok will expedite relief through registration on the Thang Rath application and the Bangkok application, as well as through all 50 district offices, covering home repair costs, shelter costs, medical expenses and basic living allowances, and will set up four on-site academic centres. He estimated that water still flooding the eastern side can be reduced within seven days from now. Mr. Phaithoon Kengkanchang, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Water Resources Office, said the main dams in the Chao Phraya basin are Bhumibol Dam at 70 percent, Sirikit Dam at 80 percent, and Khwae Noi Bamrung Daen Dam at 70-80 percent. Only Pa Sak Jolasid Dam exceeds 100 percent capacity, but it still has 6 billion cubic metres of space, unlike the water situation in 2011. The Ping River and the Sakae Krang basin are trending down by more than 500 cubic metres per second, a significant drop, and he confirmed that the northern water mass has decreased, allowing discharge to be maintained at 2,500 cubic metres per second for 5-6 days to accommodate the rain during 11-13 October. He expects Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakan provinces may see flooding in some areas. As for the Bang Pakong basin, on 1 October the water level reached a new high, 11 centimetres higher than in 2013, at 4.98 metres. Mr. Fata Marnsatawee, an expert in meteorological forecasting system development, said rain will begin in the Northeast on 4 October and then move westward, affecting the Chao Phraya basin and Bangkok around 5 October, before reaching Kanchanaburi and the western side by 7 October, and a low-pressure trough over the Central region including Bangkok must be watched on 11 October.

The flood situation has spread to 31 provinces, affecting 3.53 million people, or 1.24 million households, with a total of 24 deaths, according to the latest data from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation as of October 2. The affected areas cover 179 districts, 1,279 subdistricts and 9,339 villages, including Bangkok, where 329,000 households have been affected and 4 people have died. Water levels in Bangkok have now receded. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department is warning the public to prepare for heavy to very heavy rain during October 4-7, with October 5 expected to bring very heavy rain in Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. On October 6, watch areas are Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi, and Bangkok and its vicinity are expected to see heavy rain during October 5-6. The Royal Irrigation Department said that although water levels at some upstream points have begun to fall, the mass of water that flowed down earlier still needs time to travel, so it remains necessary to gradually increase discharge at Chao Phraya Dam, alongside delaying water above the dam and taking water into the irrigation system on both the eastern and western sides according to capacity, in order to control water levels and reduce risks to areas above and below the dam. This requires considering together the water levels in major rivers, water from tributaries, local rainfall and the influence of sea tides. It also warned people in low-lying areas along rivers and outside flood barriers to closely monitor announcements from the authorities.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul instructed a meeting of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command to have all agencies quickly reach heavily flooded areas and cut-off communities, and to prepare personnel and machinery for a new wave of rain expected to increase on October 4-5, 2026, according to forecasts by the Meteorological Department. The prime minister confirmed that there is no area that state officials cannot reach, and ordered that priority be given to helping cut-off areas, areas where water levels are rising rapidly, and areas where residents cannot help themselves. Key orders also included organizing operational teams that can reach people by boat, high-clearance vehicles, and military trucks, using a single data set on a one-area-one-data basis for communication with the public, and compiling an inventory of resources, both personnel and machinery, so they can be mobilized across provinces immediately. He also stressed that warnings be issued to residents living along major rivers, including the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak, Tha Chin, and Mae Klong rivers, and that provincial governors along the water's path, such as Samut Sakhon and Ratchaburi, prepare at the highest level. Meanwhile, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that it has produced risk maps to plan relief efforts and will join with Bangkok to divide responsibility areas, mobilize officials, machinery, and six-wheel trucks, and set up Fix-it Centers to repair electrical appliances and water supply systems in areas where water has receded so that residents can return to normal life as quickly as possible.

Bualuang Securities is warning investors to watch for the risk of a new round of flooding that could prove more severe than expected, potentially repeating the pattern of 2011 and pressuring the Thai stock market into a correction. The brokerage said the seasonal flood risk could inundate low-lying areas and key economic zones such as Bangkok, Rayong, Chonburi and Kanchanaburi, disrupting transport systems and industrial estate areas. Factors to monitor are the volume of rainfall still to come during the monsoon and water management at major dams. Bhumibol Dam is currently at 65.37% of capacity and Sirikit Dam at 80.27%, while high sea tides are also a concern. If water management fails, damage similar to 2011 could occur, and this is the most heavily weighted issue pushing the Thai stock market lower over the next one to two weeks. The research team recommends caution over further share price declines and says it will issue an immediate signal to cut portfolio exposure if panic selling occurs or the flood situation becomes untrustworthy. Today's recommended stock is BGRIM, based on the theme of accelerating the expansion of grid interconnection bottlenecks and the free electricity market, or smart grid, and the unlocking of power sales in basic energy segments such as gas to support direct and cross-area electricity purchases from producers. This is expected to directly support the power plant business and electricity sales to data centers. Support is at 18.3 baht, resistance at 19.0 baht, and stop loss at 18.0 baht.

Naphinthorn Srisanpang, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and chairman of the subcommittee on flood and drought prevention and resolution for the Mae Klong and Phetchaburi-Prachuap Khiri Khan river basins, said the Vajiralongkorn Dam in Kanchanaburi province is at 90% water capacity and must therefore accelerate its water release. On 29 September it released 30 million cubic metres per day, and today that has risen to 42 million cubic metres per day. The water flows down to join the Mae Klong Dam, where it mixes with water downstream of that dam, raising the Mae Klong Dam's discharge from 2,000 cubic metres per second to 2,300 cubic metres per second, and by noon today it will release 2,500 cubic metres per second. Naphinthorn said that to avoid affecting residents along the riverbanks, only 1,500 cubic metres per second should be released, but the current water level will rise about 2 metres above the bank line, so impacts in the Mae Klong basin are expected to be limited to riverbank and low-lying areas. Overall, farmland has been largely unaffected by flooding, and every province has prepared shelters, three meals a day, and advance warnings telling residents to move their belongings to higher ground.