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Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul rejected calls to remove Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt from his post as the government urged agencies to focus on draining floodwaters and restoring affected areas rather than political criticism.

“Never thought about it,” Mr Anutin said when asked about calls for Mr Chadchart’s removal. He said excessive criticism of officials while they were working to help flood victims could slow operations, adding the priority should be resolving the immediate crisis.

The government has assigned Defence Minister Lt Gen Adul Boonthumjaroen to oversee and coordinate flood-response efforts in Bangkok, working with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and other agencies. The government has also mobilised pumps, machinery, boats and personnel to assist the city.

The calls for Mr Chadchart to step down have come from several quarters. Panthep Puapongpan, chairman of the Yarm Fao Phaendin Foundation, said the governor should resign to take responsibility, alleging shortcomings in water management, pumping capacity and assistance to residents.

Mr Chadchart, meanwhile, said it was up to the prime minister and that he had no problem with any decision.

Flooding eased in several areas on Thursday, with water in Lat Phrao Road now drained and conditions improving around the Kheha Klong Chan flats and Sri Burapha Road. However, five areas remained affected by high floodwaters, according to the government: Krungthep Kritha Road, parts of Lat Krabang Road, the Lat Krabang-Rom Klao area, Chalong Krung Road and Suwinthawong Road.

At Kheha Klong Chan, water levels had fallen to about 30-40 centimetres, allowing pedestrians and pickup trucks to enter. Smaller pumps were being deployed because larger pumps become less effective as water levels fall.

The BMA said it would focus next on Lat Krabang and Saphan Sung.

Six commissioners of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) are set to hold their own board meeting on Friday without the chairman, breaking a deadlock of more than two months of cancelled meetings that has left a ballooning agenda.

The meeting is scheduled for 10.30am on Friday and is supported by the NBTC office.

NBTC chairman Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck called for regular meetings on Oct 1-2, though he requested to be absent from them.

An NBTC source who requested anonymity said all six commissioners agreed the NBTC office should arrange the meeting, select a temporary chair for the meeting, organise the backlog of agenda items and establish a framework for subsequent meetings.

Acting secretary-general Trairat Viriyasirikul sent the letters to the six commissioners to join the meeting. However, the source said this special meeting and any approved agenda items could risk regulatory challenge, as Dr Sarana holds the power to arrange NBTC meetings because he is still chairman.

Commissioner Pirongrong Ramasoota said the first task on Friday will be to elect one of the six commissioners to chair the meeting. No agreement has been reached in advance on who should take the role.

The arrangement of agenda items, assignment of responsibilities and scheduling of subsequent meetings will be determined during the board meeting.

She said Mr Trairat informed the commissioners that the original Friday meeting called by Dr Sarana would have to be cancelled before a special meeting of the six commissioners can begin so that the two meetings do not overlap.

The special meeting will not immediately consider all of the outstanding agenda items, determining which can proceed based on the status of previous approvals and which may need to go through the regulatory process again, said the source.

Commissioner Suphat Suphachalasai said the handling of the agenda backlog must be undertaken carefully to ensure that every step complies with the law and does not create legal problems later.

“This is not a 100-metre sprint. Everything has to be done cautiously and in accordance with the law so that there will be no problems in the future,” he said.

The six commissioners are also considering holding another meeting early next week and increasing the frequency of special meetings in order to gradually clear the accumulated workload.

Mrs Pirongrong said the meeting should give top priority to considering issues facing the digital TV broadcasting industry.

“The rhetoric of a failed meeting must end. From now on, journalists should not use that description. We intend to work for the public and clear all the outstanding matters,” she said.

The board meetings have failed repeatedly since July as many commissioners declined to attend after the NBTC selection panel ruled in July that Dr Sarana lacked the qualifications to hold the office.

Flooding remains widespread across 31 provinces and Bangkok, with more than 1.24 million households affected nationwide, as authorities intensify drainage operations and provide urgent assistance to affected residents.

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) director-general Nirat Pongsitthaworn said on Friday that persistent heavy to very heavy rainfall in many parts of the country, combined with runoff from northern provinces flowing into the Central Plains, had led to extensive water across large areas.

Floods have affected 31 provinces, 179 districts, 1,279 tambons and 9,339 villages, in addition to Bangkok.

A total of 1,245,581 households, or 3,535,206 people, have been affected, said Mr Nirat, citing the data from the DDPM’s emergency operations centre as of 6am on Friday. The affected areas by region are as follows:

North

Flooding persists in four northern provinces.

Phitsanulok: Flooding has affected two tambons and two villages in Bang Rakam district. Water levels are falling.

Phetchabun: Six districts – Muang, Chon Daen, Bueng Sam Phan, Wichian Buri, Si Thep and Nong Phai – have been affected, covering nine tambons and 19 villages and affecting 82 households. Water levels are falling.

Kamphaeng Phet: Flooding has hit two districts, Khanu Woralaksaburi and Khlong Khlung, covering 21 tambons and 191 villages and affecting 3,128 households. Water levels are falling.

Nakhon Sawan: Flooding has affected 14 districts – Phayuha Khiri, Phaisali, Tha Tako, Banphot Phisai, Lat Yao, Kao Liao, Muang, Chum Saeng, Tak Fa, Mae Wong, Takhli, Chum Ta Bong, Krok Phra and Nong Bua – covering 85 tambons and 501 villages and affecting 11,928 households. Water levels are rising.

Central Plains

Flood conditions have worsened in several provinces in the Chao Phraya River basin.

Uthai Thani: Eight districts have been affected – Nong Chang, Huai Khot, Sawang Arom, Nong Khayang, Ban Rai, Lan Sak, Muang and Thap Than – covering 56 tambons and 413 villages and affecting 4,785 households. Water levels are rising.

Lop Buri: Flooding has affected five districts – Muang, Tha Luang, Phatthana Nikhom, Khok Samrong and Ban Mi – covering 23 tambons and 84 villages and affecting 1,657 households. Water levels are rising.

Chai Nat: Seven districts – Muang, Manorom, Wat Sing, Sapphaya, Hankha, Nong Mamong and Sankhaburi – have been hit, covering 38 tambons and 168 villages with 1,581 households affected. Water levels are rising.

Sing Buri: Flooding has hit three districts – Muang, In Buri and Phrom Buri – covering three tambons and 11 villages and affecting 974 households. Water levels are rising.

Suphan Buri: Nine districts – Bang Pla Ma, Song Phi Nong, Don Chedi, Si Prachan, Muang, Sam Chuk, Doem Bang Nang Buat, U Thong and Dan Chang – have been inundated, covering 92 tambons and 667 villages and affecting 18,987 households. Water levels are rising.

Kanchanaburi: Flooding has hit 13 districts – Sai Yok, Lao Khwan, Huai Krachao, Nong Prue, Phanom Thuan, Dan Makham Tia, Tha Muang, Tha Maka, Bo Phloi, Sri Sawat, Thong Pha Phum, Muang and Sangkhla Buri – covering 90 tambons and 884 villages and affecting 9,635 households. Two people have died and water levels are rising.

Ang Thong: Five districts – Pa Mok, Chaiyo, Wiset Chai Chan, Muang and Samko – have been affected, covering 33 tambons and 146 villages and affecting 2,009 households. Water levels are rising.

Saraburi: Flooding has affected 13 districts – Nong Saeng, Muak Lek, Muang, Phra Phutthabat, Kaeng Khoi, Nong Khae, Wang Muang, Nong Don, Wihan Daeng, Ban Mo, Don Phut, Sao Hai and Chaloem Phra Kiat – covering 87 tambons and 566 villages and affecting 5,393 households. One person has died and water levels are falling.

Ayutthaya: Flooding has hit 13 districts – Sena, Bang Ban, Phak Hai, Bang Sai, Bang Pa-in, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Bang Pahan, Lat Bua Luang, Nakhon Luang, Wang Noi, Uthai, Tha Ruea and Phachi – covering 169 tambons and 1,104 villages and affecting 44,865 households. One person has died and water levels are rising.

Samut Prakan: Six districts – Muang, Bang Sao Thong, Bang Phli, Bang Bo, Phra Pradaeng and Phra Samut Chedi – have been affected, covering 38 tambons and 382 villages and affecting 307,704 households. Eight people have died and water levels are rising.

Pathum Thani: Flooding has affected seven districts -Thanyaburi, Muang, Sam Khok, Khlong Luang, Lam Luk Ka, Nong Suea and Lat Lum Kaeo – covering 29 tambons and 510 villages and affecting 182,290 households. Water levels are rising.

Nonthaburi: Three districts – Muang, Bang Kruai and Pak Kret – have been affected. Water levels are rising.

Nakhon Pathom: Flooding has affected seven districts – Muang, Phutthamonthon, Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Chai Si, Sam Phran, Bang Len and Don Tum – covering 105 tambons and 793 villages and affecting 43,687 households. Water levels are rising.

Ratchaburi: Seven districts – Photharam, Bang Phae, Damnoen Saduak, Muang, Ban Pong, Wat Phleng and Chom Bueng – have been affected, covering 42 tambons and 178 villages and affecting 3,663 households. Water levels are rising.

Phetchaburi: Flooding has affected two tambons and three villages in Kaeng Krachan district, involving six households. Water levels are falling.

East

Flood conditions remain severe across several provinces.

Nakhon Nayok: Four districts – Pak Phli, Muang, Ban Na and Ongkharak – have been affected, covering 41 tambons and 416 villages and affecting 49,018 households. Water levels are rising.

Prachin Buri: Flooding has hit seven districts – Kabin Buri, Sri Maha Phot, Na Di, Muang, Prachantakham, Ban Sang and Sri Mahosot – covering 61 tambons and 625 villages and affecting 39,977 households. Water levels are rising.

Chachoengsao: Eleven districts – Bang Nam Priao, Phanom Sarakham, Bang Khla, Tha Takiap, Sanam Chai Khet, Plaeng Yao, Muang, Ban Pho, Bang Pakong, Khlong Khuean and Ratchasan – have been affected, covering 89 tambons and 736 villages and affecting 47,959 households. Water levels are rising.

Sa Kaeo: Flooding has affected two districts, Muang and Aranyaprathet, covering four tambons and 33 villages and affecting 4,373 households. Six people have died and water levels are falling.

Chon Buri: Ten districts – Muang, Sattahip, Phanat Nikhom, Si Racha, Bang Lamung, Ban Bueng, Nong Yai, Ko Chan, Phan Thong and Bo Thong – have been affected, covering 78 tambons and 354 villages and affecting 118,723 households. Water levels are rising.

Rayong: Flooding has affected two districts, Muang and Klaeng, covering nine tambons and 73 villages and affecting 1,760 households. Water levels are stable.

Chanthaburi: Two districts – Na Yai Am and Tha Mai -have been affected, covering 10 tambons and 55 villages and affecting 7,460 households. Two people have died and water levels are falling.

Trat: Flooding has affected three districts – Bo Rai, Khao Saming and Muang – covering 17 tambons and 138 villages and affecting 1,310 households. Water levels are falling.

Northeast

Floodwaters have eased in several northeastern provinces.

Buri Ram: Flooding has affected two districts, Nang Rong and Prakhon Chai, covering 23 tambons and 199 villages and affecting 3,164 households. Water levels are falling.

Chaiyaphum: Two districts, Bamnet Narong and Chatturat, have been affected, covering five tambons and eight villages and affecting 17 households. Water levels are falling.

Surin: Flooding has affected two districts, Phanom Dong Rak and Prasat, covering 10 tambons and 65 villages and affecting 200 households. Water levels are falling.

Yasothon: Two districts, Kham Khuen Kaeo and Pa Tiu, have been affected, covering five tambons and 12 villages and affecting 243 households. Water levels are falling.

Bangkok

Flooding has affected 329,000 households in Bangkok and was linked to four deaths. Water levels are falling.

Mr Nirat said the DDPM is continuing to closely monitor the flood situation and coordinate with local agencies to speed up assistance to residents.

Priority is being given to draining floodwater, assisting vulnerable groups, moving belongings to safety and providing essential supplies. In areas where the situation is improving, authorities have been instructed to assess damage and compile information on impacted residents so assistance can be provided in accordance with relevant protocols and regulations.

The DDPM will continue issuing warnings and monitoring the situation until conditions return to normal, said the department chief.

The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) has set five damage levels for flood-affected combustion-engine vehicles, based on how high the water reaches, as Thai insurers prepare for a surge in claims once floodwaters recede.

The five levels are:

Level A: Water reaches the floor carpet; estimated repair costs are 8,000 to 10,000 baht.

Level B: Water reaches the seats; estimated repairs cost 15,000 to 20,000 baht.

Level C: Water reaches the lower dashboard; estimated repair costs are 25,000 to 30,000 baht.

Level D: Water reaches the upper dashboard; repair costs exceed 30,000 baht.

Level E: The vehicle is completely submerged and may be deemed a total loss, subject to the terms of the insurance policy.

For electric vehicles (EVs), assessments must also consider battery and other vehicle damage, along with the requirements of the relevant manufacturer and model.

OIC secretary-general Chuchatr Pramoolpol urged flood victims to put safety first and avoid returning to flooded or unsafe areas to collect evidence for insurance claims. If an area remains inaccessible, policyholders should notify their insurers and gather further evidence when it is safe to do so.

For flooded vehicles, policyholders should check whether their policies cover flood damage. Type 1 motor insurance includes flood coverage, while Type 2+ and Type 3+ policyholders should check whether they have purchased additional flood coverage.

The OIC warned motorists not to start flooded vehicles, as doing so could cause further damage to the engine, electrical systems and interior equipment. Once it is safe, owners should photograph or record the vehicle’s exterior and interior, including water levels or watermarks. They should then notify their insurers, providing their policy details, registration number, location and details of the damage.

The OIC has instructed insurers to ensure they have enough staff, loss adjusters, claims channels, repair shops, tow trucks and other resources to handle a potential rise in claims. Insurers must also speed up damage surveys and enter inaccessible areas as soon as conditions allow.

For homes and other property, policyholders should check whether their policies cover natural disasters or flooding and review the applicable coverage limits. Once it is safe, they should document damage to structures, floors, walls, furniture and electrical appliances, including water levels or watermarks. They should also prepare a list of damaged items before notifying their insurers.

The OIC has instructed insurers to assess claims promptly. When damage is clearly established, claims should be paid within seven days. For total-loss cases, relevant documents should be collected alongside the damage assessment. The agency will coordinate with relevant agencies to help reduce documentation and settlement delays for vehicles under hire-purchase agreements.

The regulator has created a central directory of insurers’ claims channels on its website and LINE Official Account, @OICCONNECT. Policyholders can also use these channels to check policy information and seek insurance advice.

The OIC hotline, 1186, will be available 24 hours a day through Oct 5 for inquiries, complaints and assistance. Policyholders can also use the OIC’s online channels and PPMS complaint system.

Mr Chuchatr said policyholders should not worry if they are unable to collect all documents or evidence during the flooding. They should notify their insurers first and gather any additional evidence once conditions are safe, he added.

Toyota Motor Thailand Co said on Friday that it would suspend production at three plants from Oct 5 to 10 due to flooding that has disrupted parts deliveries in Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao and Chon Buri provinces.

The announcement updates a notice issued on Wednesday about production suspensions because of flood impacts on suppliers as well as employees who were unable to travel to work.

Toyota said the duration of the Oct 5-10 suspensions at its Samrong, Banpho and Gateway plants was subject to adjustment depending on conditions and the availability of parts deliveries.

‘The company is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with parts suppliers to expedite the restoration of deliveries, while managing parts inventories and adjusting production and logistics plans,’ the statement said.

‘Updates, including the confirmed production resumption date, will be communicated promptly through the relevant channels.’

The company also said that if delivery schedules for any customers are affected, it would coordinate with its dealers to promptly communicate updated information and confirm delivery dates.

Damage caused by heavy rainfall in Thailand’s eastern and central regions over the past week is expected to exceed 1 billion baht, according to a preliminary assessment by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

The board of Thai Airways International on Friday dismissed chief executive officer Chai Eamsiri following the widespread mismanagement of flight schedules and severe baggage backlogs during the heavy flooding in Bangkok that started on Sept 25.

The board cited persistent operational failures, ranging from extensive flight delays and baggage handling chaos to broader ground service breakdowns, as the rationale for Mr Chai’s termination, noting that the issues have sparked a formal inquiry into the accountability of senior executive management.

Led by chairman Lavaron Sangsnit, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Finance, the board resolved to appoint Samrit Samniang as full-time acting chief executive officer in place of Mr Chai, tasking him with urgently resolving the operational crises plaguing the national flag carrier.

A former executive of PTT Exploration and Production Plc and a current Thai Airways board member, Mr Samrit must swiftly stabilise operations, clear backlogs and work to restore passenger and public trust, the board said.

A committee has also been established to investigate separate allegations against Mr Chai concerning the procurement of 860,000 bottles of wine valued at more than 800 million baht from a single vendor.

Mr Chai said after the meeting that he had been informed of the decision to remove him as CEO but had not been given a clear reason. He will remain a company director while the fact-finding process takes place.

The airline had previously announced the cancellation of 24 flights scheduled for Oct 1 and Oct 2 to address a backlog exceeding 10,000 pieces of luggage and cargo, with plans to resume full-scale operations by Oct 3.

THAI said following Friday’s board meeting that it would re-examine its management structure to prevent recurring disruptions. Moving forward, the company will also review its employment frameworks for ground and warehouse personnel, particularly regarding multi-tiered subcontracting and external outsourcing.

Mr Chai, who has publicly ?apologised for the chaos that hit operations at Suvarnabhumi airport, joined the national carrier in 1985, rising through the ranks to become its chief financial officer before being appointed CEO in 2023.

Thai Airways went into bankruptcy-protected restructuring in 2020, reducing its workforce by half and trimming its fleet, before achieving a turnaround in its .

As ?of June 30 this year, the airline operated a total of 84 ?aircraft covering 61 destinations in 27 countries.

Mr Chai won plaudits in the industry and from investors for his role in steering the carrier back to financial health. Its shares resumed trading ?on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in ?August 2025, after it exited its debt restructuring programme.

Shares of Thai Airways (THAI) closed on Friday at 5.70 baht, up 0.05 baht from the day before, with turnover totalling 706 million baht.