Bangkok Floods: Can You Still Get Around and Reach the Airports?
Written by the editors of theo-courant.com, your reference guide to Thailand and South-East Asia - based in Bangkok, at the heart of Thai culture.
After almost 300 mm of rain fell within 48 hours, Bangkok has experienced widespread flooding, disrupting traffic in several parts of the capital. All 50 Bangkok districts have been declared disaster areas. On Sunday, September 27, floodwaters were beginning to recede in some areas, but travelling around the city remained difficult.
For travellers, the key question is no longer simply whether Bangkok is accessible. It is how to get around the city and reach the airports under the current conditions.
Are Bangkok’s airports operating normally?
Yes. Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport remain open and operational.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the main difficulties currently concern road access to the two airports. Travellers are therefore advised to check traffic conditions before leaving and allow significantly more time for their journey. (TAT)
Suvarnabhumi Airport remains accessible
Suvarnabhumi Airport continues to handle international and domestic flights.
However, the TAT advises travellers to avoid the Lat Krabang area, where significant water accumulation has been reported.
When conditions allow, alternative routes including Motorway 7 and the Burapha Withi Expressway can be used to reach the airport.
Current guidance recommends allowing at least:
- three hours before an international flight;
- two hours before a domestic flight;
in addition to the time required to reach the airport, which can be considerably longer than usual because of traffic and flooding.
Don Mueang Airport is also operating
Don Mueang International Airport is also operating normally.
On September 26, part of the airport’s southern taxiway was affected by accumulated water. Airport teams pumped the water out, while take-offs and landings continued without reported changes to the flight schedule.
The main concern for passengers remains road access to the airport.
The TAT recommends allowing an additional two to three hours for the journey and checking traffic conditions before leaving.
Can you still travel around Bangkok?
The answer depends very much on where you are in the city.
Heavy rainfall on September 24 and 25 caused flooding and water accumulation along numerous roads. Authorities reported that 44 traffic locations had been affected, while 33 major roads were being closely monitored. Some roads were subject to warnings and restrictions rather than complete closures.
Parts of eastern Bangkok have been particularly affected, including areas around Min Buri, Khlong Sam Wa and Saphan Sung.
Several major roads have also experienced flooding or traffic disruption, including parts of:
- Chaeng Watthana Road;
- Vibhavadi Rangsit Road;
- Sena Nikhom Road;
- Ramkhamhaeng Road;
- Sukhumvit Soi 63, also known as Ekkamai;
- Lat Krabang Road.
Conditions can change quickly. A road that is difficult to use in the morning may become passable again after water has been pumped away.
Are the BTS and MRT still running?
Rail-based public transport is an important alternative when roads are congested or flooded.
The TAT reports that the Airport Rail Link and SRT Red Line are operating. Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain and MRT networks also provide alternatives for many journeys within the capital.
However, there is an important distinction between a railway line operating normally and being able to reach the station easily.
A BTS or MRT station may remain open while surrounding streets are flooded or heavily congested.
For airport journeys in particular, travellers should therefore consider the entire journey from their accommodation to the terminal, rather than simply checking whether the train itself is operating.
What is happening in Bangkok today?
Conditions have improved in some parts of the capital.
After the intense rainfall of September 24 and 25, floodwaters began to recede in several areas on Sunday, September 27. The reduction in rainfall has allowed authorities to accelerate drainage operations and lower water levels in affected areas.
This does not mean that travel conditions have returned to normal.
Authorities are continuing to monitor further rainfall expected across Bangkok and neighbouring provinces. Low-lying areas and locations close to canals remain particularly vulnerable.
Conditions may therefore change significantly during the day.
What we found in Bangkok on September 27
Field report — update to follow
I am travelling to Bangkok today to check the situation on the ground following the heavy rainfall of the past few days.
This section will be updated after arrival, with observations on the actual travel conditions encountered along the route, including road traffic, flooded areas, public transport and access to different parts of the capital.
The aim is to compare the official information with what travellers are actually experiencing in Bangkok today.
Should you change your Bangkok travel plans?
The available information does not indicate that Bangkok is inaccessible to travellers.
Both major airports remain operational and the main rail networks are running. However, journeys by road can take considerably longer than usual, particularly when travelling to the airports.
If you need to travel around Bangkok today, it is therefore advisable to:
- check traffic conditions before leaving;
- allow plenty of extra time when travelling to an airport;
- check your flight status directly with your airline;
- use rail-based transport when it is practical for your route;
- avoid areas currently reported to be flooded;
- check conditions again shortly before setting out.
Flooding is not affecting every part of Bangkok in the same way. The capital is not entirely paralysed, but some journeys can currently take much longer than expected.
Bangkok floods: what travellers need to know
| Situation | Status on September 27, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi Airport | Open and operational |
| Don Mueang Airport | Open and operational |
| Airport Rail Link | Operating |
| SRT Red Line | Operating |
| BTS / MRT | Operating, with local access conditions varying |
| Road traffic | Disrupted in several areas |
| Lat Krabang | Area to avoid for road access to Suvarnabhumi |
| Bangkok | Conditions improving in some areas but still changeable |
Last checked: September 27, 2026. Road, transport and flood conditions can change rapidly depending on rainfall and water levels.
Sources
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Weather and Travel Conditions in Bangkok and Surrounding Areas – Visitor Information, September 26, 2026.
- The Nation Thailand, Don Mueang flights unaffected by taxiway flooding on Sept 26, September 26, 2026.
- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and information reported by Thai media.
