Bangkok revamps Bueng Si Kan Lake for flood control
Bangkok is gearing up for a wetter future with a major transformation of Bueng Si Kan Lake in Lak Si district, turning it into a massive flood-control reservoir. The ambitious project is part of the city’s monkey cheek initiative to tackle increasing rainfall and prevent severe flooding in one of its most vulnerable neighbourhoods.
Deputy Governor Wissanu Sabsomphon announced that Bueng Si Kan will join 37 other designated monkey cheek reservoirs across Bangkok, a strategic move to handle the expected surge in rainfall this year.
“We are anticipating at least 1,800 millimetres of rainfall in 2025, a significant increase from the 1,600 millimetres recorded last year.”
Situated in Soi Chaeng Watthana 14, the 150,000-cubic-metre lake is a prime candidate for flood mitigation, given its direct connection to the Khlong Bang Phut and Khlong Ta Oud canals, which drain into Khlong Prem Prachakon, Bangkok’s primary waterway for flood relief.
The surrounding area, particularly Mueang Thong Niwet Village, has long been plagued by severe flooding, prompting urgent intervention from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
To boost the lake’s drainage efficiency, the BMA’s Drainage and Sewerage Department has implemented a series of critical upgrades, including:
- A new high-capacity water station capable of pumping 5 cubic metres per second.
- Upgraded floodgates to improve water flow control.
- Dredging of 1.2 kilometres of nearby canals to clear blockages.
- An 880-metre reinforced concrete embankment to protect against overflow.
- A new water-holding pond with a drainage gate to regulate water levels.
The 98.8-million-baht improvement project will be completed this month, offering a much-needed lifeline to flood-weary residents, reported Bangkok Post.
As Bangkok braces for heavier rains, the monkey cheek strategy is shaping up to be a crucial defence against the city’s ongoing battle with urban flooding.
In similar news, severe flooding has plunged Phatthalung province into chaos, submerging homes, shutting down schools, and threatening livestock, despite a brief respite from the rain on February 25.
The disaster has ravaged multiple districts, including Kong Ra, Srinakarin, Pa Bon, Tamode, and Pa Phayom, with Khuan Khanun among the worst affected.
Key transport routes, such as the Pho Thong intersection and Asia Road, were left underwater, crippling travel. In Mueang district, over 100 households were inundated, with farmland also devastated.
Locals were left reeling as floodwaters surged into areas previously untouched by such extreme weather.
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