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Villagers Block Highway, Demand Flood Relief as Ayutthaya province Faces Months-Long crisis
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As floodwaters continue to plague the Bang Ban District of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, residents have taken drastic action, blocking a major highway to demand increased water drainage and immediate relief. The escalating situation highlights a crisis stretching back nearly four months, leaving communities submerged and livelihoods threatened.
Prolonged Flooding Prompts Desperate Measures
On November 9, 2023, villagers closed all four lanes of Highway 309, the Ayutthaya-Ang Thong route, in a desperate plea for authorities to open the bang Kung floodgates by an additional meter. The presentation followed a recent increase in water drainage from the Chao Phraya Dam – from 2,750 to 2,800 cubic meters per second – which residents fear will exacerbate the already dire conditions.
“I would like to die in the middle of the road” if there is no correction or relief, one demonstrator reportedly stated, reflecting the depth of despair felt by those affected. The protest underscores a growing frustration with the government’s response to the ongoing disaster.
Years of Suffering Reach a Boiling point
The flooding has reached catastrophic levels, with water in some areas rising to 3-4 meters. Residents have been forced to navigate their neighborhoods by boat, carrying essential supplies to upper floors. one 71-year-old resident of Village No. 1, Ban Kum Subdistrict, described having to sleep on the floor as floodwaters reached the second story of her home.
The situation has persisted for nearly four months, with villagers expressing a sense of abandonment and a lack of direct government intervention. They argue that the current water management strategy is inadequate, focusing solely on the Bang Ban District while neglecting other potential catchment areas.
Negotiations and a Tentative Agreement
The disruption prompted a response from Mr. Paradorn Prisanananantakul, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, who traveled to the area with local officials to negotiate with the protesters. During the discussions,villagers voiced their long-standing suffering and demanded immediate action.
A temporary agreement was reached whereby the Bang Kung floodgates will be opened an additional meter for 10 days, diverting water to the Bang Pahan District. While this offers a potential short-term solution for Bang Ban, it raises concerns for farmers in Bang Pahan, whose fields are now at risk of inundation during the crucial harvest season.
one villager from Bang Pahan expressed acceptance of the agreement, stating a willingness to allow water to flow through their fields, acknowledging the greater hardship faced by their neighbors in Bang Ban. “I personally accept the agreement and am willing to let water drain into my own fields,” they said, “because it can still receive a lot of water and I sympathize with the villagers of Bang Ban District.”
Concerns Remain as Water Levels Rise
The increased drainage from the Chao Phraya Dam continues to fuel anxieties among residents, who fear further escalation of the flooding. The current situation is reportedly worse than both last year and the devastating floods of 2011.
Villagers have voiced concerns that the government has not directly addressed the root causes of the flooding and is not effectively managing the opening of
