"Disaster zone" in Bangkok - residents shouted at PM: "Too rich! Get in the water"

Waters began receding from Bangkok after days of heavy rain, but thousands remain in shelters. The meteorological service faced criticism over its warnings and claimed that issuing alerts is not its responsibility. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul toured a flooded community and residents shouted "Too rich!" at him, demanding he come down to the streets.

Waters began receding this morning (Sunday) from most areas of Bangkok after days of heavy rain, but thousands of residents are still staying in shelters and others remain trapped in their flooded homes. Thailand's Meteorological Service, which faced criticism over the warnings it issued, claimed that public alerts and evacuations are not its responsibility. The rains began on Thursday, and in some parts of the city more than 330 mm fell. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration declared the entire city a disaster zone yesterday (Saturday); nearly 4,900 people were evacuated to shelters and about 52,000 households were affected. More than 10,000 soldiers were deployed for assistance. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who cut short his visit to London, toured a flooded community and residents shouted "Too rich!" at him, demanding he come down to the streets. Anutin admitted that some of the information in the warnings was difficult to understand due to technical terms. Hundreds of schools will remain closed tomorrow (Monday).