Authorities have vowed to step up efforts to prevent flooding in Bangkok now that the rainy season has now taken hold.
Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda on Tuesday revealed the outcome of a meeting he called on Sunday with relevant agencies to find ways to prevent flooding in Bangkok, two days after torrential rains swamped many parts of the capital, causing heavy traffic on many roads last Friday.
The flooding also reportedly stemmed from a power outage at Bang Sue's water draining tunnel, one of the city's largest water draining systems. The outage dragged on several hours before resuming at around 6pm on Friday.
Gen Anupong said Bangkok relies on pumping water out to prevent flooding.
Attempts are usually made to drain water into the Chao Praya River or the sea as quickly as possible, but problems can occur when there is rainfall across the whole capital, he said.
He said 14 locations are marked as critically flood-prone areas while another 56 can also be flooded if there is significant rainfall.
"We had a problem with electricity so a power storage resource must be prepared to be used for pumping machines to ensure there are no more glitches," said Gen Anupong.
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority will be asked to assist when there is a power outage to make sure pumping machines still function, he said.
Traffic police, volunteers, soldiers and students from technical colleges would be sent to flooded areas to help maintain traffic flow, the minister added.
The recent heavy rains were caused by an intense southwestly monsoon front covering Thailand and the Andaman Sea, according to Thaweesak Thanadechopol, deputy chief of the Royal Irrigation Department.
However, the strength of this front would ease tomorrow and Friday, which will result in less rainfall, he said.
Mr Thaweesak said the volume of retained water across the country remains low and that cooperation will be sought from locals and farmers to help conserve water.