Thailand’s Cabinet has declared special public holidays on September 28 and 29 for civil servants in Bangkok and three surrounding provinces in response to heavy rainfall and flooding. The decision, announced Sunday, aims to reduce travel and alleviate traffic congestion caused by the severe weather. Government officials noted that essential official duties scheduled during the holidays may continue at the discretion of department heads.

The capital and nearby areas experienced intense rainfall, with nearly 300 millimeters recorded over 48 hours, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to designate Bangkok as a disaster-affected area on Saturday. The flooding inundated major roads, leaving some vehicles partially submerged. Although the floodwaters began to recede on Sunday as rainfall diminished, some residents remained trapped in their homes.

The timed public holidays raised concerns about potential delays in judicial proceedings, specifically the scheduled reading of a verdict by Thailand’s Constitutional Court related to a case brought by the official ombudsman. The case centers on ballots used in the February general election and carries the potential to cast doubt on the election results. Despite the declared holidays, the court confirmed that it would proceed with the verdict as planned.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, prioritizing public safety and infrastructure recovery as the city deals with the aftermath of the torrential rains.