Bangkok Flooding Prompts Holiday, But Court Keeps Election Ruling Date
Heavy rainfall in Bangkok led the cabinet to grant special holidays for civil servants in the capital and three nearby provinces on Sept. 28 and 29. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration declared the city a disaster-affected area after nearly 300 mm of rain fell in 48 hours. The Constitutional Court said it would still rule on Sept. 28 in a case about barcodes and QR codes on February election ballots, which petitioners argue could undermine voting secrecy.
Thailand's cabinet gave civil servants in Bangkok and three adjacent provinces days off on Sept. 28-29 to cut travel and ease traffic. Bangkok was labeled disaster-hit after almost 300 mm of rain in two days; key roads flooded, some cars stalled, and water receded in places by Sunday though some residents remained.
The Constitutional Court said it would still issue its ruling at 2 p.m. Sept. 28 on barcodes and QR codes used on Feb. 8 ballots. The Ombudsman referred the matter under Section 213; the court accepted it in March, heard five witnesses, and inspected election materials. The Election Commission says ballot secrecy was preserved.
The court’s decision may shape confidence in ballot secrecy and could influence how voters and parties view the February election’s legitimacy. Flooding could complicate access and attention, especially for Bangkok residents and civil servants, while officials balance disaster response with legal deadlines. Any ruling consequences may affect election authorities and political stability, but impact depends on the court’s reasoning and implementation.