2011 Thailand Floods - Rapid Assessment for Resilient Recovery and Reconstruction Planning

In 2011, heavy rain combined with multiple tropical storms throughout the extended rainy season led to severe, record-high flooding across 66 provinces in Thailand, including the Bangkok metropolitan area and its surrounding areas. Overall, the floods affected more than 13 million people and resulted in more than 680 deaths. The total damage and losses from the 2011 floods in Thailand amounted to THB 1.43 trillion (around USD 46.5 billion). The manufacturing sector bore roughly 70 percent of the total damage and losses due to the flooding of six industrial estates in Ayuthaya and Pathum Thani from mid-October to November 2011. Overall, approximately 90 percent of the damage and losses from the 2011 floods were borne by the private sector.

In response to the prolonged and widespread flooding, the Royal Thai Government, in conjunction with the World Bank and other development partners, undertook this rapid assessment of the impact of the floods in 26 of the 66 affected provinces. This report outlines these findings, including damage and loss estimates and social and economic impacts. A section in the report proposes strategies for resilient recovery and reconstruction planning.

The three overarching areas that broadly encompass the findings and recommendations of the assessment are: (1) provide support to the affected population with a particular focus on vulnerable groups; (2) Invest in a more climate resilient Thailand; (3) Invest in the competitiveness of the country to support resilient recovery.