Bangkok expands water retention areas and drainage efforts

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is expanding its water management infrastructure by adding seven new ‘monkey cheek’ water retention areas. This initiative aims to increase the city's total water storage capacity to over 14 million cubic meters once all 45 planned sites are completed.

Officials clarified that certain previous projects were canceled because they failed public hearings or were deemed cost-ineffective. For instance, two projects in the Khlong Khu Bon and Khlong Bang Chan areas were replaced by a more efficient drainage tunnel system connecting to the Nong Bon reservoir extension, reducing costs from 11 billion baht to 6.5 billion baht.

In response to recent rainfall, BMA Governor Chatchart Sittipunt reported that flood levels are improving across most major roads. To assist heavily affected areas like Rom Klao Housing in Lat Krabang, the BMA has deployed ‘turbo pipes’ and water pumps to accelerate drainage into the Prawet Burirom Canal. Efforts are also underway to reinforce flood barriers in areas where gaps exist to prevent water from flowing back into residential communities.