Thailand's Cabinet has approved special public holidays on Monday 28 September and Tuesday 29 September 2026 for Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan as flooding affects the capital region.
The government has also extended free expressway use until the night of Tuesday 29 September, Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Watcharapol Khawkhum said in a Facebook post on Sunday, 27 September.
The measures are intended to reduce the impact on residents and make travel easier during the flooding, which has hit parts of Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
Two-day holiday for four provinces
Watcharapol said the Cabinet had approved the exceptional government holiday to help people deal with conditions in Bangkok and the metropolitan area.
"The most important thing is that people can use this holiday period to look after their own safety and that of their families," he said, adding that the government was ready to provide assistance and speed up efforts to limit the impact on residents.
The announcement applies specifically to government offices in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan. Foreign residents should note that private-sector employers, international schools, shops, banks and other businesses are not necessarily required to close, and should check directly with their workplace or service provider.
Those with immigration appointments, visa extensions or other business at government offices in the four provinces may also need to expect closures or rescheduling over the two days.
Free expressways extended to Tuesday night
Free travel on expressways has been extended through to Tuesday night, 29 September. Watcharapol thanked the Ministry of Transport for coordinating the measure during the special holiday period.
He said reducing travel costs and making it easier for people to get around Bangkok and the surrounding provinces were particularly important during the emergency.
The announcement did not specify which expressway routes are covered. Motorists, including visitors using rental cars, should follow updates from expressway operators before travelling, particularly where floodwater, traffic diversions or closures may affect normal routes.
Anutin faces flood anger in Bangkok's Bang Khen
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was shouted at by residents during a visit to flood-hit Bang Khen on 27 September, as communities along Khlong Prem Prachakorn called for more food and basic facilities.
Some residents at the Ruam Phatthana community shouted "Too rich!" as Anutin arrived at about 11.30am in a high-clearance vehicle operated by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, after travelling from Don Mueang Airport.
They urged him to enter the flooded area. One resident joked that people would carry him to a boat so he could see conditions himself, adding that they had voted for him.
Residents seek food and toilets
Residents asked for mobile toilets, saying the flooding had made daily life difficult. Anutin asked whether elderly people remained in the community and urged them to move to shelters, warning that extended exposure to floodwater could increase health risks.
He said Bangkok authorities would arrange mobile toilets.
People also complained that food distributed on 26 September was insufficient. Anutin telephoned Defence Minister Adul Boonthamcharoen and told the ministry to establish a mobile kitchen.
While that was being arranged, he personally paid 3,000 baht to a meatball seller, 10,000 baht to a made-to-order food shop and 5,000 baht to a noodle shop to provide meals. He said the community should eat immediately rather than wait for the kitchen to open.
Anutin later visited the temporary shelter at Bang Khen School in Lak Si district, where he met flood victims and distributed relief supplies.
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28 September 2026
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