Flooding in Thailand: September 2026
September marks the core of the monsoon season in Thailand, known for its frequent afternoon rains and thunderstorms. However, in late September and early October 2026, persistent heavy rains led to severe flooding across Southeast Asia, impacting many low-lying areas.
Affected Regions
Prachin Buri province was severely affected, with extensive flooding reported. Satellite images taken on October 2, 2026, demonstrate the inundation of areas along the Bang Pakong River. The images, acquired through NASA-USGS Landsat satellites, use a false-color technique to highlight water and vegetation distinctly. Notably, floating solar arrays appear as bright red shapes in these images.
Cause of Flooding
The flooding was likely exacerbated by a low-pressure system that stalled over the region for several days. This system, fueled by moisture from the warm Gulf of Thailand, resulted in exceptionally intense rainfall. For instance, Bangkok, located roughly 100 kilometers to the west, recorded nearly 300 millimeters (11.8 inches) of rain within just 48 hours.
Impact
Since mid-September, about 50 provinces have experienced flooding, affecting over 4 million people and leading to numerous fatalities. Reports indicate that around 270,000 hectares (670,000 acres) of farmland, including essential crops such as rice and fruit orchards, have suffered damage.
Data Source: NASA Earth Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey, and stories from news outlets including ABC News, The Conversation, and The Nation.
References
- Residents brave floodwater for supplies after Bangkok inundated (ABC News)
- As the planet warms, cities like Bangkok could be increasingly inundated by deadly floods (The Conversation)
- Thailand floods hit 1.7m rai including over 26,000 rai of orchards (The Nation)
- THA: Flood – 09-2026 – Heavy rainfall caused flooding #3 (ReliefWeb)
