Thailand has declared special holidays for civil servants in Bangkok and three surrounding provinces as heavy rainfall and flooding disrupt travel and threaten to further complicate government operations.
The Cabinet approved Sept. 28 and 29 as special holidays for government employees in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan. Officials said the measure is intended to reduce travel and ease traffic disruptions in areas affected by flooding.
The special arrangement does not mean all government services will stop. Agencies responsible for essential services and urgent matters have been instructed to maintain necessary operations, while agency heads may require staff to continue working when cancelling scheduled activities could cause significant harm to the public.
State enterprises, financial institutions and private companies have been advised to consider separately whether the two days should be treated as holidays, depending on their circumstances and applicable laws. The Bank of Thailand, hospitals, medical facilities and other essential institutions have also been asked to take appropriate measures.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand, meanwhile, is scheduled to remain open as usual despite the special civil-service holiday.
The decision followed severe rainfall across Bangkok and surrounding areas. Bangkok authorities declared the capital a disaster-affected area after nearly 300 millimetres of rain fell over a 48-hour period, flooding major roads and leaving some vehicles partly submerged.
Although rainfall eased and some floodwaters began to recede, authorities reported that some residents remained stranded in their homes. The continuing disruption prompted the government to use the temporary holiday as a way of reducing movement and pressure on affected transport networks.
The announcement also raised questions about its potential effect on Thailand’s legal and political calendar. A Constitutional Court ruling concerning ballots used in the February election had been scheduled around the same period, creating uncertainty over whether government closures could affect court-related procedures.
The court subsequently said the reading of the verdict would proceed as planned on Monday, despite the special holidays.
The flooding comes as Thailand faces another period of heavy seasonal rainfall, placing additional pressure on Bangkok’s drainage systems, roads and public infrastructure.
For residents, the immediate concern remains mobility and safety as authorities monitor flood conditions and rainfall. For the government, the two-day arrangement provides temporary relief from unnecessary travel while allowing essential public functions to continue.
The latest move highlights how severe weather can quickly affect government operations in Bangkok, particularly when flooding disrupts major roads and public transportation.
The key issue now is whether rainfall and flood conditions will continue improving after the temporary holidays — or whether further disruptions will be needed if heavy rain returns.
