Sport
Severe flooding has caused extensive damage across the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) complex in Bangkok’s Hua Mak district, affecting several national sports associations and their equipment while Thai athletes remain in Japan competing at the Asian Games.
One of the hardest-hit organisations is the Amateur Weightlifting Association of Thailand, which estimates losses of almost 20 million baht after floodwater entered its facilities beneath Rajamangala National Stadium on September 25.
More than 150 steel lifting bars were submerged, along with competition flooring, training equipment and nutritional supplies. Some of the damaged items had been prepared for the EGAT Thailand Weightlifting Championships, scheduled to take place in Chiang Rai next month.
Maj Gen Intharat Yodbangtoey, the association’s honorary president, is currently in Nagoya for the Asian Games. He has instructed officials to relocate the national team’s training camp to Chiang Mai while arrangements are made to recover and clean the damaged equipment once water levels fall.
Particular attention will be given to the steel lifting bars. Officials will need to determine whether prolonged contact with floodwater has affected their dimensions, weight or structural condition and whether they remain suitable for use in official competitions.
Cycling facilities also badly affected
The Thailand Cycling Association has reported significant losses at the SAT Velodrome, which houses its headquarters and training facilities.
Association president Gen Decha Hemkrasri said floodwater reached approximately chest height in some common areas, with much of the ground floor severely affected.
Among the damaged property were bicycles belonging to national team athletes, spare parts and tyres, watt bikes used for training and performance assessments, office equipment, broadcasting systems and walkie-talkies. Equipment used during national championship events was also affected, as was the track cycling race-control room.
The association is due to host the final round of the 2026 Thailand Track Cycling Championships at the Velodrome from October 9 to 11. Officials will inspect the venue and equipment before determining whether the competition can proceed as planned.
Taekwondo association among other victims
Flooding has also reached the facilities of the Thailand Taekwondo Association within the SAT complex.
A vehicle belonging to national team coach Chatchawan Khaolaor was submerged outside the association’s headquarters while he was in Japan working with the Thai team at the Asian Games.
As water levels rose, association officials and athletes reportedly improvised by using an inflatable pool to move through the flooded area and reach higher ground around Rajamangala National Stadium, where vehicles were relocated.
Eastern Bangkok communities remain affected
The flooding has extended beyond the sports complex, with parts of Hua Mak, Ramkhamhaeng Road and Ramkhamhaeng Soi 24 continuing to experience significant water accumulation following several days of heavy rainfall.
The areas surrounding Ramkhamhaeng University and the SAT complex have been particularly affected. The university suspended classes across all programmes on September 26 and 27 and postponed its e-Testing activities because of the conditions.
Other communities in eastern Bangkok, including Khlong Chan and Lat Krabang, have also reported flooding, disruptions to electricity and water supplies, and difficulties obtaining food and drinking water.
Authorities have responded by deploying high-clearance military vehicles, boats, mobile kitchens and medical teams. Preparations have also been made for possible evacuations, with priority given to hospital patients, children, older residents and people requiring additional assistance.
