Bangkok airports remain open as Transport Ministry sets up flood war room

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has set up an emergency flood-response “war room” to coordinate transport operations nationwide, while confirming that flights at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports continue to operate despite severe rain and flooding.

Phiphat chaired an urgent meeting to review the flood situation and ordered the establishment of an Emergency Flood Response Operations Centre under the Transport Ministry.

The centre will serve as the command hub for sharing information and coordinating resources across all agencies under the ministry, covering road, rail, water and air transport, with operations maintained around the clock.

Road agencies deploy pumps and heavy equipment

Transport agencies have mobilised personnel, water pumps, trucks, lifting vehicles, tow trucks and other machinery to affected areas while maintaining 24-hour monitoring.

Areas in Bangkok and surrounding provinces requiring particularly close attention include Rangsit, the Don Mueang-Vibhavadi Rangsit corridor and Srinakarin Road.

Officials will remain stationed at locations where water levels are high or conditions are considered unsafe, with warning measures, lane closures or full road closures to be introduced where necessary.

Severe flooding has already disrupted traffic on several major Bangkok roads, including Vibhavadi Rangsit, where some sections experienced deep water on Friday.

MRT lines continue operating

Rail and urban electric-train services remain operational, while some stations and railway facilities are being made available to accommodate people affected by flooding.

The MRT Blue, Purple, Yellow and Pink lines are continuing to operate normally.

Other rail services are also being maintained wherever track conditions and safety standards allow.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reported that services on the Southern and Northeastern lines remained normal.

However, some sections of the Eastern and Northern lines have been affected by flooding on railway tracks, requiring service adjustments where necessary for safety.

The SRT has also prepared areas to accommodate flood victims. Bangkok Station, or Hua Lamphong, can accommodate about 100 people, while facilities in the Bang Sue area and at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal can accommodate around 250.

Don Mueang taxiway partly flooded but flights continue

Air transport operations are continuing at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

Some flights have accumulated delays, but services remain operational and, at the time of the ministry’s report, there was no significant build-up of stranded passengers at either airport.

Persistent heavy rain throughout the day caused water to flow onto part of the southern taxiway at Don Mueang Airport.

However, the ministry said the flooding had not affected overall airport operations and aircraft were still able to take off and land normally.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has separately advised passengers using Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi to allow additional travel time, check flight status directly with their airlines and monitor updates while the weather remains unsettled.

Airlines offer flexible travel options

Airlines have also introduced assistance measures for passengers affected by flooding and transport disruption.

Passengers unable to travel as scheduled may be eligible to change their journey or retain the value of their ticket as travel credit for later use, subject to the terms and conditions set by each airline.

The Transport Ministry advised passengers to check directly with their airline before travelling, particularly while heavy rain continues to affect roads leading to Bangkok’s two main airports.

 

For those who wish to help our fellow citizens suffering and affected by the floods, you can make a donation through the following accounts:

Nation Foundation

Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri): Account No. 333-0-01399-6

Kasikorn Bank: Account No. 192-3-59782-0

"We will get through this crisis together."