"Minister of Defence" proposes “District-Level Disaster Relief Centers” across bangkok

Today (1 October 2026), at the Bangkok Flood Control Center (located within the Department of Drainage and Sewerage building at Bangkok City Hall 2, Din Daeng District), Lt. Gen. Adul Bunthamcharoen Minister of Defence , presided over a joint meeting with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt also attended. The meeting aimed to monitor the flood situation and discuss integrated approaches to assisting the public coordinating efforts among the BMA, the Ministry of Defence, the armed forces, and relevant agencies to ensure that command and operations are aligned, rapid, and responsive to the specific needs of each area.

Attendees included Gen. Nipat Thonglek (Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Bangkok Governor), Ms. Tavida Kamolvej and Mr. Pornphrom Vikitset (Deputy Governors of Bangkok), and Mr. Thaiwut Khankaew (Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration), alongside representatives from the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), the Ministry of Defence, the armed forces, and other relevant agencies. The meeting was conducted via a Video Teleconference (VTC) system connecting with the directors of all 50 Bangkok districts, representatives from the armed forces commanders, and General Nattapong Praokaew, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, to directly receive updates on the situation, challenges, and support requirements from each area.

Prior to the discussion, the Defense Minister received a briefing on Bangkok’s water control and management system covering water flow patterns, the canal network, floodgates, pumping stations, and surveillance zones. This ensured that all agencies shared a comprehensive view of the "entire water system" and could utilize common situational data to identify priority areas and determine where military capabilities could best provide support.

A key proposal made by the Defense Minister was the establishment of "District-Level Disaster Relief Centers" covering all 50 districts of Bangkok. These centers would serve as mechanisms for local operational coordination, linking district offices, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the armed forces, and all relevant agencies. The scope would range from gathering situational data and public needs to requesting and deploying personnel or resources for support. The initiative emphasizes unified command and execution, aims to minimize redundancy, and ensures that assistance reaches the public quickly and effectively.

Additionally, Minister of Defence expressed appreciation to the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters and all armed forces branches for their continuous mobilization of personnel and resources to assist the public. He instructed the Armed Forces Disaster Relief Center to assign staff officers to work and coordinate directly with the directors of all 50 districts, ensuring that each area has a designated military liaison. Needs can be communicated, and connections quickly established with the specific armed forces branches or military units best equipped to address the issues at hand.

The Defense Minister affirmed that the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces are ready to deploy their capabilities to "supplement" the efforts of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and other areas in need. This includes personnel, vehicles, boats, water pumps, engineering tools, and specialized equipment. The military will serve as a supporting force, ensuring there is no duplication of effort or displacement of agencies that possess direct responsibility and expertise.

"Please rest assured; you are not walking this path alone. The BMA and its district offices remain the primary local agencies, while the military stands ready to provide support. If there is anything we have that can help, please let us know directly, and we will work together to resolve the issues as quickly as possible" Minister of Defence stated.

He also instructed that this operational mechanism begin immediately. If any district encounters problems or obstacles in coordinating with the armed forces by 9:00 PM today, they are to report directly to Minister of Defence so that issues can be swiftly resolved and coordination between local areas and military units can proceed without interruption. Furthermore, the Defense Minister emphasized that military representatives responsible for coordination in each area must maintain continuity in their duties avoiding unnecessary personnel changes to ensure that military teams and district directors can work effectively together, familiarize themselves with the local area, understand the specific problems, and minimize coordination gaps.

Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces for their ongoing support of the BMA’s operations, noting that he feels reassured by the military's comprehensive support across all dimensions. This initiative aims to bolster the operational capacity of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), particularly in areas still affected by the situation and requiring additional resources, thereby enabling more comprehensive and rapid assistance to the public.

Following the meeting, the Minister of Defence, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the BMA and officials from the Department of Drainage and Sewerage, visited Lat Krabang District to inspect drainage operations and the deployment of water-pushing boats. They reviewed information regarding water flow patterns, drainage points, and the use of water-pushing boats to accelerate water discharge from the area. Additionally, they assessed how the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces could provide further support including personnel, tools, and equipment based on the BMA's requirements.

The Minister of Defence emphasized that this site visit involved cross-referencing data from the flood control center with actual field conditions to ensure that military support effectively addresses the specific problems and needs of the responsible agencies. The Ministry of Defence stands ready to provide continuous support to the BMA and all sectors spanning the urgent drainage phase, assistance for affected residents, and post-crisis recovery efforts.