Residents Sail Through Flooded Homes as Historic Temples Are Swamped
For nearly four months, relentless seasonal rains have turned Thailand's Ayutthaya province — home to a UNESCO-listed ancient city — into a waterlogged landscape. Murky, fast-moving floodwaters have transformed neighbourhood streets into hazardous canals, reaching depths of up to three metres (10 ft) and lapping at the ruins and gilded shrines of the historic capital.
“I have to endure life. I don't know what to do,” said retiree Somkid Kijniyom, who initially slept in a small boat and relied on dry-food donations while waist-high water filled his house. He later built a raised platform on tables to create a dry sleeping area but described conditions as “inconvenient,” with unusable toilets and dangerous currents complicating daily life.
“I hope the water will subside soon,” he added.
Ayutthaya’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported that more than 60,000 households have been affected and that 18 people have died this year. The office also said 38 temples in the area were impacted by the flooding.
Many residents say the scale and unusual duration of the floods — in some places approaching four months — stem from water-management failures. Community leader Boonchob Thongseejud accused authorities of not releasing water into nearby fields, leaving villages as a temporary "rest stop for water" before it rushes south along the Chao Phraya River toward Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand.
Local resident Vichai Asa-nok, who moved into a temple-run shelter, said the waters “came fast, very fast,” and that the crisis is more extensive and longer-lasting than in previous years. He and others say current water levels are roughly 40 centimetres higher than during the 2011 floods.
The government has offered 9,000 baht (about $280) in assistance per affected household, but many residents call this insufficient. Vichai said that amount barely covers basic materials such as plywood to elevate homes and does not meet cleanup costs, which he estimated could reach an additional 3,000 baht or more; some local voices argue compensation should be in the tens of thousands.
Beyond immediate relief, residents and community leaders are calling for clearer, more proactive water-management policies to prevent future prolonged flooding and to protect both communities and Ayutthaya’s irreplaceable cultural heritage.
Key impacts
- More than 60,000 households affected
- 18 fatalities reported
- 38 temples damaged or affected
- Floodwaters up to 3 metres (10 ft) in places
Reported by local disaster authorities and residents.
