Thailand’s cabinet has approved special holidays for civil servants in Bangkok and three nearby provinces on September 28 and 29 following heavy rainfall and flooding.
The government said the decision is intended to limit travel and reduce traffic disruptions for the public. However, essential official work scheduled during the holidays can continue if the heads of the concerned offices consider it necessary.
The announcement came after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration declared the capital a disaster-affected area on Saturday. Nearly 300 millimetres of rain fell across Bangkok over 48 hours, causing flooding on major roads and leaving some vehicles partially submerged.
The holiday decision also raised the possibility of affecting the Constitutional Court’s scheduled reading of a verdict on Monday.
The case was brought by the country’s official ombudsman and concerns ballots used in the February election, with the outcome potentially putting the election results in doubt. However, the court confirmed that the verdict reading would proceed as planned.
Rainfall eased on Sunday, allowing floodwaters to recede in some areas, although some residents were still stranded inside their homes.
