Suradech Yasawat urges urgent flood measures for Bangkok

Suradech Yasawat, an independent politician and former senator, has urged the Thai government and Bangkok authorities to implement immediate measures to manage northern runoff approaching the central plains and Bangkok. He recommended clearing water from canals and waterways 24 hours a day to create capacity for incoming floodwaters from the Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan rivers.

To mitigate the impact, Yasawat suggested that the Royal Irrigation Department coordinate closely with local authorities to ensure early warnings are issued to residents. He emphasized the importance of managing dam releases from major reservoirs, such as the Bhumibol and Sirikit dams, and utilizing irrigation systems to divert water away from low-lying areas.

For long-term solutions, Yasawat proposed declaring flood management a national agenda. His recommendations include increasing water retention areas, restoring forests using drones for seed dispersal, and improving weather forecasting accuracy to better manage dam discharge levels.