Advanced Drainage Systems to Host 2026 Investor Day and Unveil Fiscal 2030 Outlook

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt explained that the Bueng Khu Bon and Bueng Bang Chan projects are studies by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration that apply the monkey cheek concept, not projects directly stemming from royal initiatives. He confirmed that the consideration was based on academic data, drainage efficiency, budget value, and public benefit. After the major flood in 2011, the Drainage Department studied approaches for creating six water retention ponds, with four projects previously halted after public consultation processes. Bueng Khu Bon and Bueng Bang Chan remained as the two projects under continued consideration. But upon reviewing the details, the investment amounts were found to be high, so they had to be compared with other approaches. According to the consultant team's study, the system-wide monkey cheek approach would cost about 11 billion baht, while the approach of improving canals and the drainage system would cost about 6.7 billion baht. The BMA therefore considered improving canals to convey water faster, alongside enhancing the efficiency of Bueng Nong Bon and the drainage tunnel system. On the issue of connections with a real estate company, Chadchart stated that he had previously served as an executive of Quality Houses Public Company Limited, which had filed an objection to a project in the Phatthanakan area through the process prescribed by law. But decisions about the project are the authority of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and the cancellation of the project occurred during the term of a previous Bangkok governor, while he did not hold the position at that time. As for water management principles, an effective monkey cheek must have water retention areas, water intake systems, and appropriate water discharge systems. Bueng Khu Bon and Bueng Bang Chan have a combined capacity of about 1 million cubic meters, while the volume of rainwater in Bangkok is large and spread across many areas, so the entire drainage system must be considered, not just increasing water storage areas alone. Chadchart stressed that the BMA is ready to listen to additional information from all parties. If there is new information, technical proposals, or facts that differ from the data currently used in its consideration, the Drainage Department is ready to examine and review them carefully.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has completed repairs to its online registration system for flood victims seeking assistance, and about 35,800 people have now registered. Lalida Periswiwatana, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, said Bangkok is accelerating drainage in the eastern areas, particularly Min Buri, Nong Chok, Prawet, Saphan Sung, Sai Mai and Lat Krabang, and is mobilising water pumps and water-pushing boats to help. Wissanu Charoen, director of the drainage system engineering division at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Drainage Office, said the urgent operation is focused on reclaiming the Rom Klao community housing area in Lat Krabang district, where the water level has been reduced by about 30 to 60 centimetres, though roads in the area are still flooded by about 20 to 30 centimetres. Yesterday the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration added more flood barriers and installed additional water pumps, and expects to lower the water level by about 25 centimetres per day, with roughly two more days needed to return the area to normal. In the Sai Mai–Ao Ngoen area, the situation is expected to ease within about two days. People who have already registered and wish to correct their information can log in to the system to update it, or contact their district office during official working days and hours.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has confirmed the cancellation of the Bueng Khu Bon and Bueng Bang Chan monkey-cheek flood-retention projects, saying they are not worth the roughly 11 billion baht budget. Jesada Chantraprapha, deputy permanent secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said the two ponds can hold only 700,000 cubic metres of water, compared with about 5 million cubic metres managed by Bueng Nong Bon, or roughly ten times more, and that Bueng Nong Bon is also connected to the tunnel system and main canals. He also insisted that no private party received any undue benefit. Chawalit Chantararat, a water management expert and chief executive of TEAM GROUP, said Bueng Khu Bon has a design capacity of about 870,000 cubic metres but can actually manage only around 500,000 cubic metres, and that when the current land price and the cost of building all the associated systems are combined, the cost framework for the Khu Bon project comes to about 11 billion baht. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is therefore laying out a plan to develop the eastern drainage system as an integrated whole, running through Khlong Phraya Suren, Khlong Sam Wa, Khlong Saen Saep and Khlong Prawet Burirom, linking to Bueng Nong Bon, the drainage tunnel and a large pumping station, while taking in more water from Min Buri, Bang Kapi, Lat Krabang and Rom Klao.