Days of relentless heavy rain have caused severe flooding across Bangkok, swallowing streets and homes. With water levels surging over a meter deep in some areas, vehicles were submerged, roads became impassable, and residents found themselves trapped in their homes, struggling to access basic necessities. On September 26, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration declared disaster zones across all 50 districts, affecting approximately 52,000 households and forcing many residents to evacuate in search of shelter.
Immediate relief and hot meals
After ensuring the safety of local volunteers, the Tzu Chi Foundation in Thailand immediately assisted with water pumping efforts and coordinated with the Prawet District Office. Starting September 27, volunteers prepared 300 vegetarian hot meals daily to distribute to district officials, evacuation centers, and stranded taxi drivers. They also provided essential supplies, including instant noodles, mosquito repellent, toilet paper, and fever medication. To reach submerged neighborhoods where regular vehicles could not pass, large trucks were used to transport meal deliveries.
The place where we were staying was no longer livable and lost power, so we had to evacuate and take temporary shelter under the bridge. — A Displaced Worker
LEFT: Volunteers prepare 300 vegetarian hot meals daily, distributing them along with supplies to district offices, shelters, and affected taxi drivers. RIGHT: Displaced workers take refuge at the Jing Si Hall, where volunteers provided meals, snacks, and medical supplies to help them settle in. | Photos: Pinticha Jansuksri
Providing a safe haven
On September 28, coordinated through the district office, 30 flood-affected residents moved into Tzu Chi's local Jing Si Hall for temporary shelter. Most were construction workers who had arrived in Bangkok just two weeks prior. One of the workers, recalled that as the rain poured relentlessly that night, everyone scrambled to move their belongings to higher ground before taking their essential possessions to search for shelter along the streets.
After staying under an elevated mass transit station for three days, they were brought to the Jing Si Hall. Volunteers prepared three daily meals, snacks, and basic medical supplies to help them settle into a safe and comfortable environment.
Because floodwaters have been slow to recede, relief efforts remain geographically constrained. Tzu Chi Thailand branch is currently focusing its immediate response on nearby Prawet District, while continuing to monitor the broader situation, evaluate survivor needs, and provide timely support.
Written by Budsara Sombut (桑瑞蓮) Edited by Yu-Chen Pan (潘俞臻)
