High tides flood Bang Saen and Mae Klong as eight areas face warning

High tides flooded parts of Bang Saen Beach, Mae Klong and Samut Prakan on Wednesday (October 28), as authorities warned Bangkok and seven provinces to prepare for elevated sea and river levels through October 30.

At Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri, seawater pushed beyond the shoreline from early morning, reaching beachfront businesses and rows of canvas deckchairs, according to local reports.

In Samut Songkhram, rising water inundated areas around Si Champa intersection, Wat Phet Samut and the railway line before spreading into Mae Klong Market. Local reports said water levels were noticeably higher than the previous day.

High tides also overflowed onto roads near Phra Chulachomklao Fort in Samut Prakan, causing traffic congestion and making travel difficult.

Four major rivers affected by rising Gulf levels

The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) attributed the conditions to a cold air mass, or high-pressure system, from China extending over upper Thailand and the South China Sea.

The system has strengthened easterly winds over Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, pushing Gulf water levels higher and raising levels around the mouths of four major rivers: the Bang Pakong, Chao Phraya, Tha Chin and Mae Klong.

ONWR has called for close monitoring from October 28-30, particularly in communities outside flood embankments and riverside areas without permanent flood defences.

Authorities are also monitoring sections of Sukhumvit, Suksawat and Rama II roads that could be affected by rising water.

Bangkok and seven provinces told to prepare

The warning covers Chachoengsao, Samut Prakan, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Songkhram.

Relevant agencies have been instructed to prepare traffic-management measures, closely monitor water levels and accelerate drainage where necessary to reduce disruption to residents.

A separate Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation alert has also warned of high-tide impacts in Bangkok and six central provinces from October 27 to November 5, particularly in low-lying riverside areas and communities outside permanent flood barriers.