Heavy rain and flooding in Bangkok disrupts traffic and prompts evacuations

BANGKOK (AP) — Rain hammered several areas of Thailand ’s capital on Saturday, disrupting traffic and forcing hundreds to evacuate. The deluge started Thursday afternoon.

Thailand’s Meteorological Department warned the heavy rain would continue in most parts of the country through Sunday, citing a strong low-pressure system over the central region and strengthening southwest monsoon conditions.

Accumulated rainfall in major canals in Bangkok exceeded 20 centimeters (7.8 inches), officials said. Floodwaters spread across the city, particularly in the central and eastern parts, blocking roads and stopping traffic in some areas.

More than 84,000 people in 21 provinces nationwide were affected by flooding as of Saturday, especially in the central region. Authorities sent emergency warning messages through the cell-broadcast system to people in affected areas, the government said.

Hwang Hwan-chung, who flew from South Korea and has visited Bangkok over ten times, said he had never seen such “crazy” weather, adding that he couldn’t find a taxi.

Sukanya Tongsuk, a local, said the current flooding was similar to the last time Bangkok was hit by widespread flooding in 2011.

"I think it’s like 10 or 15 years ago that we saw heavy rain like this,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dutch resident Bjorn Franken, who has lived in the capital for two years, said he was able to cope although one event he wanted to attend had been canceled.

Many businesses in Bangkok closed on Saturday due to flooding.

Cars crawled along waterlogged roads in parts of Bangkok, and bikers were seen pushing their motorcycles. Authorities said some regional bus services from Bangkok to the eastern provinces were suspended.

Phetchaburi Road, one of the capital’s busiest main roads, was unusually quiet as vehicles had to turn back. Some were left partially submerged.

Residents, some barefoot and others wearing rubber waders while several wrapped plastic bags around their feet, made their way through murky waters, carrying fresh water and food.

Air traffic control authorities confirmed operations remained normal at airports, but some flights might face delays due to weather-caused detours.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said despite the heavy rain, flooding should recede once the rain subsides, as city officials work to drain floodwaters as quickly as possible.

More than 200 shelters were set up across the city and about 900 people have moved into them, Chadchart said.

Some government facilities were opened to provide vehicle parking, officials said.

A woman wades through floodwaters after heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The streets are flooded after heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

People wade through floodwaters after heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Men push motorcycles as they wade through floodwaters after heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The streets are flooded after heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

This image taken from a video shows the flooded streets in Bangkok, Thailand Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, after heavy rain. (AP Photo)

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A new European soccer league kicked off in Romania’s capital this week, giving amputee players from countries lacking domestic leagues an opportunity to compete on an international stage.

The European Amputee Football Federation, or EAFF, inaugurated the new Conference League in Bucharest. The games were held Thursday and Friday, and the final concluded on Friday when Maccabi Haifa FC of Israel was crowned the winner after beating Scotland’s Ayr United 4-0.

The victory meant a lot to Ben Binyamin of the team from Israel. Back in 2023, the Israeli player had his right leg blown off during the Hamas attack on the Tribe of Nova music festival, which left him fearing he would never play soccer again.

“I am very happy that we won this tournament, we won without conceding a single goal,” he told The Associated Press. “Football itself for us is our physiotherapy, our life, and our second family. It helps us in life. It gives us strength.”

Four teams participated in the tournament: FCSB of host nation Romania, Maccabi Haifa FC of Israel, Ayr United of Scotland and Panathinaikos AC PwD of Greece.

“We are very satisfied, very happy to bring pride to the country,” Binyamin added.

Inspired by the European club competition model in able-bodied soccer, the EAFF described the new league as a “historic milestone” that represents “another important step in the development of European amputee football.”

“The Conference League creates an international opportunity for clubs from countries where domestic amputee football leagues are not yet established,” it says on its website.

Played in a seven-versus-seven format, on 60-meter (196-foot) by 40-meter (131-foot) fields, amputee soccer is a game for amputees and people living with limb defects. Players have one leg and a pair of crutches, while goalkeepers have both legs but one hand or arm.

Established in 2015, the EAFF aims to help people with amputations or limb defects gain access to amputee soccer throughout Europe. The World Amputee Football Federation was established in 2002 and a World Cup is held every four years.

The new league hopes to attract more spectators to amputee soccer and gives teams opportunities to build international relationships. The EAFF also organizes a Nations League, Champions League, Europa League, and holds other initiatives like women’s and junior camps.

Iain Matthew, manager of the Scottish team, told the AP that while his team’s 0-4 loss to Maccabi Haifa was disappointing, the league itself offered valuable experience for his players.

“The competition is great for smaller nations … to get European football experience,” he said. “I think we could have played better, we could have defended better, but you’ve got to praise your players for what they’ve done over the week.”

McGrath reported from Leamington Spa, England.

Maccabi Haifa's Ben Binyamin poses with the trophy during the medal ceremony at the end of the amputee soccer inaugural EAFF Conference League in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Maccabi Haifa's players line up before an amputee soccer match between Maccabi Haifa and Panathinaikos in the inaugural EAFF Conference League in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

FCSB's Marian Sacacol, left, challenges for the ball with Ayr United's Charlie Hewson during an amputee soccer match between FCSB and Ayr United in the inaugural EAFF Conference League in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

FCSB's players warm-up before an amputee soccer match between FCSB and AFAS in the inaugural EAFF Conference League in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Panathinaikos' Vasileios Gogolos stretches during an amputee soccer match between Maccabi Haifa and Panathinaikos in the inaugural EAFF Conference League in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)