Thailand declares two-day holiday in Bangkok amid severe flooding

Thailand's cabinet held a special meeting Sunday and approved Sept. 28 and 29 as special holidays for civil servants in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan. Nearly 300 millimeters of rain fell over 48 hours, and Bangkok was declared a disaster-affected area on Saturday. Floodwaters began receding Sunday as rain eased, though some vehicles were left partly submerged and some residents remained stranded in their homes. Essential government work can continue at the discretion of agency and department heads. After the meeting at Government House, Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters: "The special holidays were approved at a special Cabinet meeting today to help ease the impact of the floods and facilitate public travel." The cabinet stated the measure aims to reduce travel and ease traffic disruptions for the public. The holidays raised questions about a Constitutional Court proceeding scheduled for Monday on ballots from February's election, brought by the country's official ombudsman. politiko.com.ph said the court would proceed with its verdict as scheduled despite the holiday. bdnews24.com said the timing could be delayed, with no announcement yet on whether the verdict would be changed.