PATTAYA, Thailand: Heavy, persistent rain on Wednesday afternoon quickly flooded low-lying and flood-prone areas of Pattaya in Chonburi province, with water reaching almost one metre in some spots and blocking small vehicles.
The Pattaya News Reporters stated that the downpour began around 12:30 p.m. on the 23rd of September 2026. Water rose rapidly in known trouble spots. Affected stretches included Pattaya Sai 3 Road near Mung Aroi, Sukhumvit Road near the Pattaya highway section, and the road running alongside the railway near Wat Tham Samakkhi.
At the worst locations, officials closed sections of road and directed traffic while crews worked to drain standing water. Authorities said the measures were needed to protect residents and ease congestion.
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned that the eastern region will see heavy rain in many areas and very heavy rain in some places from the 23rd–27th of September 2026. A strong low-pressure cell moving along the monsoon trough, combined with a strengthening southwest monsoon, is the main driver. Residents in at-risk and low-lying areas are advised to watch for flash floods and prolonged flooding.
For the eastern region on Wednesday, the TMD forecast thunderstorms covering about 80 percent of the area, with heavy rain in some locations.
Pattaya city officials said that during the storms they were continuing to monitor conditions and pump water from high-risk points. They urged people to avoid flooded roads and to follow official weather updates. Officials added that if the rain stops, it should take one to two hours to drain the streets enough for normal traffic to resume.
September falls in Thailand’s rainy season, which typically runs from mid-May through mid-October. In the east, including Chonburi and Pattaya, late-season storms can be intense: brief but very heavy downpours, sudden street flooding in low-lying areas, and slower traffic even after the rain eases. Visitors should treat official TMD forecasts as the first check each morning, allow extra time for taxis and buses, and avoid walking or driving through water that looks more than ankle-deep, it can hide potholes and rise quickly.
Practical advice for tourists is straightforward. Carry a compact umbrella or light rain jacket, keep electronics in waterproof pouches, and wear shoes that can get wet. Stay on higher ground near beachfront and main commercial strips when possible, and confirm hotel or tour transfers if roads are closed.
If you are out when flooding starts, wait in a shop or hotel lobby rather than wading; most urban flooding in Pattaya recedes within a few hours once pumping begins. Follow local news and TMD alerts through the 27th of September, and check with your accommodation before heading to inland or hillside areas after heavy rain.