Thailand's flood expert, Chawalit Chantararat, advises that the country's preparation will prevent floods as severe as those in 2011. Northern provinces' rainfall and a lower water mass in Nakhon Sawan contribute to this optimism. Additionally, Bangkok's enhanced infrastructure, including 'monkey cheek' water catchments, will help manage water flow, despite ongoing challenges related to climate change and drainage issues.
Chawalit Chantararat, director of Team Consulting Engineering and Management Public Company Limited, forecasts that Thailand's floods this year will not be as severe as the catastrophic 2011 floods.
Despite heavy rainfall in northern provinces like Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae, Sukhothai, and Phichit, the overall water mass is considerably smaller.
The Nakhon Sawan province, a critical juncture for water flow, recorded 15.6 billion cubic meters of water this year compared to 23.4 billion cubic meters in 2011.
Bangkok is also better equipped to manage water with the implementation of 10 'monkey cheek' water catchment areas and other improvements.
However, ongoing challenges include the city's drainage issues and global warming effects, which intensify rainfall and risks of flooding.