Source Reuters
BANGKOK — Thai authorities announced a two-day break for government workers across Bangkok and three nearby provinces following relentless downpours that submerged roads and turned city streets into canals.
The special holiday, approved by the cabinet, allows civil servants to stay home on Monday and Tuesday to clear congested roads and protect residents from further travel risks.
Streets Submerged Under Relentless Rain
The decision follows two days of torrential rainfall, with close to 12 inches (300 mm) drenching the capital within 48 hours.
The sudden deluge overwhelmed city drainage systems, submerging major roadways, trapping vehicles in waist-deep water, and prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to declare the city a disaster-affected zone. While waters started receding slightly as showers eased, hundreds of residents across low-lying neighborhoods remained cut off or stranded inside their homes.
A Move to Ease Travel Chaos
Government leaders explained that keeping thousands of public workers off the roads will significantly lower traffic pressure, allowing emergency teams and drainage workers to do their jobs without added gridlock.
Critical public departments will not shut down completely. Agency chiefs retain the authority to keep essential staff and emergency responders on duty to maintain key operations and assist flood-hit communities.
Wider Ripples Beyond the Water
The emergency shutdown carries political implications alongside civil disruption. The unexpected closure could postpone pending court decisions, including an anticipated verdict concerning ballot validity from the national elections earlier this year.
For now, the government’s primary focus remains on clearing blocked roads, speeding up water drainage into nearby canals, and keeping commuters safely out of harm’s way.
