Thailand declares two-day civil service holiday in Bangkok amid severe flooding and disruption

From paralyzed motorways to submerged neighbourhood streets, severe monsoon downpours have brought parts of the Thai capital to a standstill. 

In a dramatic move to keep emergency routes clear and ease commuter chaos, the government has officially stepped in.

The decision comes after Bangkok and three surrounding provinces were heavily impacted by nearly 300 mm (12 inches) of torrential rain over a 48-hour period, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to declare all 50 districts disaster-affected areas.

According to Reuters, Major thoroughfares were flooded and vehicles partially submerged. Floodwaters receded in many parts of Bangkok on Sunday after the rain eased, although residents in some flooded neighbourhoods remained stranded in their homes.

The Thai cabinet approved special civil service holidays for September 28 and 29 to reduce commuter traffic and ease pressure on transport networks, while allowing essential operations to continue at department heads' discretion.

The disruption raised concerns about a potential delay to a high-stakes Constitutional Court ruling regarding disputed electoral ballots from February's election, though court officials indicated that the verdict timeline would proceed as planned.

Flooding affected neighbourhoods across the capital, with water entering homes and disrupting transport. Some areas became difficult to access, forcing residents to wade through floodwaters.

The BMA said on Sunday that rainfall had eased after a low-pressure system that had affected Bangkok over the previous days moved westward.

Rain was expected to be lighter, although water levels in several major canals remained high as water continued to flow in from surrounding areas, it said.

The weather agency forecasts widespread thunderstorms and isolated heavy rain for Monday.