Thailand Approves $122 Million in Flood Relief as Bangkok Begins Recovery

Thailand's government on Tuesday approved 4.1 billion baht (about $122 million) in emergency funding for victims of floods that have battered the country since mid-September, affecting more than 2.6 million people and killing at least 19.

Government spokesperson Ekkapob Pianpises said the Interior Ministry would distribute the funds to flood-affected people nationwide. Residents in 29 of Thailand's 76 provinces were still contending with flooding on Tuesday, officials said. Four of the 19 deaths occurred in Bangkok.

Bangkok was recovering after days of torrential rain and widespread inundation, though disruptions persisted. Rain had largely stopped in the capital, but some neighborhoods, particularly in the east, remained under water. City governor Chadchart Sittipunt said traffic should return to normal on most main roads within two days, while low-lying areas could take up to seven days to dry out. The Thailand Meteorological Department forecast heavy rain elsewhere in the country on Tuesday, even as Bangkok was expected to stay dry.

At Suvarnabhumi Airport, the main international gateway, a major baggage backlog was still being cleared. Thai Airways, one of the main carriers handling luggage there, apologized to passengers and attributed the pile-up in part to staff shortages caused by the flooding. Hundreds of suitcases lined the arrivals area on Tuesday. "I sincerely apologize to all passengers for the inconvenience caused. Thai Airways is making every effort to ensure that passengers are reunited with their baggage as soon as possible," said CEO Chai Eamsiri. The airline canceled more than 10 domestic and international flights on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Thai Air Force said it had sent personnel to assist with the luggage problem.

Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said the flooding had caused an estimated 22 million baht (about $655,000) in damage to businesses nationwide.

In Bang Kapi, one of Bangkok's hardest-hit neighborhoods, residents waded through floodwater and some used small boats to get around. Vendors from a nearby market, where the water remained knee-high, set up a makeshift market on a raised walkway outside a mall, selling meat, vegetables and herbs as music played and traders called out to customers. Lon Cheng, a Cambodian vendor who has lived in Thailand for more than 20 years, said he had suffered heavy losses. "The first day ... I spent about 70,000 baht (about $2,100) and I could sell for only 20,000 baht (about $600). It was a big loss, but with losses I still need to sell," he said.

Neighboring countries have also been hit. In Myanmar, at least 10 people were killed and dozens were missing after heavy rain triggered flooding and landslides in the southern coastal region of Tanintharyi, local media reported. Flash floods struck at least 10 provinces in Cambodia, affecting 44,889 families and forcing nearly 4,000 people to evacuate, according to disaster management officials. At the centuries-old Angkor temple complex, workers opened water gates and diversion systems to reduce the risk of flooding at the archaeological site.