Cabinet declares Sept 28-29 official government holidays in light of flooding

The Cabinet has approved Sept 28 and 29 as official government holidays in Bangkok and three of its neighbouring provinces to help mitigate the impact from flooding and facilitate travel for residents, according to Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Watcharapol Khaokham.

Mr Watcharapol said in a Facebook post that the special holidays would apply on Monday, Sept 28, and Tuesday, Sept 29, in the following areas:

• Bangkok
• Nonthaburi
• Pathum Thani
• Samut Prakan

The measure was approved in response to inundation in Bangkok and surrounding areas, with the aim of easing the impact on residents and facilitating travel during the disruption.

At the same time, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), under the Ministry of Transport, has extended a waiver of expressway tolls as heavy rain and flooding continue to affect travel in several areas.

The toll suspension, originally scheduled from 1pm on Sept 26 until midnight on Sept 27, has been made to remain in effect until midnight on Sept 29 for the benefit of commuters.

The waiver covers all eight expressways operated by EXAT:

• Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway (First-Stage Expressway System)
• Si Rat Expressway (Second-Stage Expressway System)
• Chalong Rat Expressway (Ram Inthra–At Narong and Outer Ring Road routes)
• Burapha Withi Expressway (Bang Na–Chon Buri)
• Udon Ratthaya Expressway (Bang Pa-in–Pak Kret)
• Bang Na–At Narong Expressway (S1)
• Kanchanaphisek Expressway (Bang Phli–Suk Sawat)
• Prachim Ratthaya Expressway (Si Rat–Outer Ring Road)