The Flood at Pom Phet, Ayutthaya Island, According to News Reports

According to TOP News on 3 October 2026, water from the Chao Phraya River surged into the riverside area around Pom Phet to a depth of nearly 1 metre. At the point where the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak meet, a strong whirlpool formed and pushed water over the defence line on the western side. At that time the Chao Phraya Dam was releasing about 2,500 cubic metres per second and the Rama VI Dam 616 cubic metres per second.

The same report said the Fine Arts Department was reinforcing flood barriers from Wat Chaiwatthanaram to Wat Phanan Choeng to protect key riverside monuments. All of these figures reflect the date of the report. Water levels and dam releases change daily, so readers should follow the latest announcements from the Royal Irrigation Department, the province and the local municipality.

Nationally, data from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, published by the Government Public Relations Department as of 06.00 on 7 October 2026, showed floods in 27 provinces plus Bangkok, covering 123 districts and 984 subdistricts, with 1,154,875 households and more than 3.1 million people affected.

The Pom Phet flood differs from ordinary standing water because it is fast and swirling. Water like this scours river sediment, floating rubbish and sewage from riverside outfalls, then leaves a layer of mud on floors, walls and in corners when it drops. Old timber houses, wooden shophouses and raised homes with open ground floors on the island absorb a lot of moisture, so mould and bacteria grow quickly if drying is slow.

Example Case: A Small Riverside Guesthouse Near Pom Phet That Could Not Take Guests

Note: this is a typical scenario compiled from situations that often occur in riverside homes and guesthouses during high water. It is not the account of any specific owner.

Ton runs a six-room guesthouse in a two-storey timber house by the river, not far from Pom Phet. Most guests are tourists who cycle around the temples on the island. In early October, river water spilled over the sandbags into the front yard and ground-floor rooms within a short time. Ton moved mattresses, linen and appliances upstairs in time, but three ground-floor rooms, the shared bathroom and the kitchen stayed underwater for several days.

When the water dropped, Ton and two staff shovelled out the mud and hosed the wooden and tiled floors. The river silt smelled of fish and drains. The lower timber walls had darkened, there was a tide line under a bed that could not be lifted in time, and within days grey-green mould spots appeared in the corners of a wardrobe. One staff member developed itching and peeling skin between the toes after wading every day.

Guests booked for November began messaging to ask whether the guesthouse would open and whether the rooms were safe. Ton wanted to answer confidently, but knew that hosing and floor cleaner could not confirm that sewage and mud germs were gone. He sent the staff member to a doctor and contacted the WHD team on LINE with a floor plan and photos.

The team suggested an order of work: discard soaked carpets and mattresses, wash floors and walls, open windows and run fans to dry the timber first, then book spraying zone by zone, starting with the bathroom and kitchen and moving on to the guest rooms. Guests and staff would leave each zone during spraying and return at the time the technicians gave. For musty odour trapped in the wood, ozone treatment could be considered afterwards.

Flood Germs at Pom Phet, Ayutthaya Island: Fast Water, River Mud and Timber Homes

The Pom Phet flood came from a large river moving fast and carrying heavy sediment. Passing through the community, it washed out septic tanks, wastewater pipes, rubbish heaps and rat nests along the bank, then left mud inside homes, shops and guesthouses. Below are the key germs to know. This is general prevention information, not treatment advice. Anyone who feels unwell should see a doctor.

1. Leptospira: the cause of leptospirosis

How the flood spreads it: rats living along the bank, landing stages and riverside rubbish move into homes and shops to escape the water, and their urine mixes into floodwater and mud.

Where it hides afterwards: wet mud under raised houses, gaps between floorboards, front yards, landing stages and dark, damp storerooms.

Symptoms and who is at risk: the bacteria enter through cuts, scrapes or soaked skin. Illness often starts with sudden high fever, headache, muscle pain especially in the calves, and red eyes. People shovelling mud and carrying belongings are most exposed. Anyone with a fever after wading should see a doctor promptly and mention it.

Prevention: rubber boots and gloves, waterproof dressings, rat and rubbish control. Leptospira falls within the bacteria group the product says it covers in general, but no organism-specific test is listed. You can ask WHD for data.

2. Burkholderia pseudomallei: the cause of melioidosis

How the flood spreads it: this bacterium lives in soil and muddy water in Thailand. When fast water drags soil and sediment from the bank into homes, people who wade in mud or shovel it bare-handed can be exposed.

Where it hides afterwards: thick mud in yards, gardens, under raised floors and in flooded plant pots.

Symptoms and who is at risk: symptoms vary from fever and skin abscesses to pneumonia. People with diabetes, kidney disease or heavy alcohol use are at higher risk. A lingering fever after mud exposure needs a doctor's attention.

Prevention: wear boots and gloves whenever shovelling mud, wear a mask when pressure-washing mud, and wash right after work. It is a bacterium, and the product pages list no specific test for it.

3. E. coli (Escherichia coli) from sewage and septic tanks

How the flood spreads it: many riverside homes rely on septic tanks or discharge wastewater to the river. When floodwater pushes back, sewage enters the house with the water.

Where it hides afterwards: bathroom floors, around toilets, kitchen drains, tile grout and soaked curtains or rugs.

Symptoms and who is at risk: diarrhoea and cramps, sometimes with blood. Young children and older adults are most at risk.

Prevention: wash hands with soap, discard food that touched the water, wash floors and then disinfect. E. coli belongs to the bacteria group covered in general, with no specific test listed.

4. Rotavirus in young children

How the flood spreads it: rotavirus spreads through stool, hands, toys and contaminated surfaces. When clean water is scarce and families crowd together, young children are easily infected.

Where it hides afterwards: toys, floors where babies crawl, changing tables and feeding bottles.

Symptoms and who is at risk: vomiting, watery diarrhoea and fever. Young children risk dehydration; see a doctor if a child is drowsy, passes little urine or cannot drink.

Prevention: wash hands after nappy changes, clean and disinfect toys, and ask a doctor about vaccination. It falls within the virus group covered in general, without a specific listed test.

5. Norovirus in restaurants and guesthouses

How the flood spreads it: norovirus passes easily through food, water, hands and surfaces. Island restaurants and guesthouses serving many visitors need extra care after a flood.

Where it hides afterwards: door handles, stair rails, taps, counters, shared bathrooms and room remote controls.

Symptoms and who is at risk: sudden vomiting, diarrhoea and cramps; children and older adults risk dehydration.

Prevention: wash hands with soap and clean shared touch points often. According to WHD's product information, norovirus is one of the organisms CHEMGENE HLD4H is stated to cover.

6. Hepatitis A virus

How the flood spreads it: it spreads through food and water contaminated with faeces, and the risk rises when water supplies are affected by flooding.

Where it hides afterwards: dishes and vegetables rinsed in unsafe water, ice and the hands of cooks.

Symptoms and who is at risk: tiredness, poor appetite, nausea, yellow skin and eyes.

Prevention: drink safe water, eat freshly cooked food and ask a doctor about vaccination. It is within the virus group covered in general, with no specific listed test.

7. Dermatophytes: the fungi behind "water-bitten feet"

How the flood spreads it: wading and wearing wet shoes all day softens the skin, letting fungi and bacteria take hold.

Where it hides afterwards: boots that never dry, wet socks, doormats and bathroom floors.

Symptoms and who is at risk: itching, peeling, redness and soggy skin between the toes. People with diabetes should be careful because wounds can spread.

Prevention: wash and dry feet after every wading, dry footwear, and see a doctor if it does not improve. Fungi are a group the product says it covers, without a test listed for this type.

8. Pseudomonas aeruginosa in standing water and wounds

How the flood spreads it: a water-loving bacterium found in standing water, pipes and wet surfaces, it thrives wherever things stay damp after a flood.

Where it hides afterwards: sponges, mops, sink drains, bathtub rims and water storage tanks.

Symptoms and who is at risk: wound, skin and ear infections. People with weak immunity or open wounds are most at risk.

Prevention: throw out old sponges and mops, clean water tanks and cover wounds. It is a bacterium with no specific test listed.

9. Moulds in timber houses and walls (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys)

How the flood spreads it: old timber houses on the island soak up water. When wood, plaster and furniture stay damp for more than 24 to 48 hours, mould begins to grow.

Where it hides afterwards: lower timber walls, under floorboards, behind wardrobes, ceilings, mattresses and curtains.

Symptoms and who is at risk: blocked nose, coughing, sneezing, sore eyes and rashes; asthma and allergies can flare.

Prevention: discard mouldy porous materials, dry fast, then disinfect. According to the product information, fungi and mould are a group CHEMGENE HLD4H is stated to cover, without genus-level tests listed.

10. Enterovirus: the cause of hand, foot and mouth disease

How the flood spreads it: it spreads through saliva, nasal mucus, blister fluid and stool. When children from several families share shelters or relatives' homes, it spreads more easily.

Where it hides afterwards: toys, dining tables, spoons, cups and play areas.

Symptoms and who is at risk: fever, mouth sores and spots on the hands and feet. Young children are most at risk; see a doctor if a child is drowsy, vomits often or shows unusual neurological signs.

Prevention: handwashing, separate utensils, and cleaning and disinfecting toys. According to WHD's service information, hand-foot-mouth virus is on the list of organisms the service is stated to cover.

The common thread at Pom Phet: fast water leaves a lot of mud, and mud is where germs hide. Disinfectant works best in direct contact with a surface, so mud must be removed and surfaces washed first, then sprayed once clean and reasonably dry, in line with CDC and WHO guidance for flood-affected areas.

What Homes and Businesses on Ayutthaya Island Risk If They Skip Disinfection

Health: people shovelling mud are exposed through skin and breath. If germs remain on surfaces, children crawling on floors and older adults keep being exposed, which is why diarrhoea, rashes and respiratory complaints are common for weeks after the water drops.

Tourism: the island draws Thai and foreign visitors, and guesthouses, restaurants and cafes want to reopen quickly. But a musty room or a sick guest can lead to online reviews that hurt a business for a long time. A step-by-step recovery is worth more than a rushed reopening.

Property: timber houses and wooden furniture that stay damp rot and grow mould deep in the grain. The longer it waits, the higher the repair bill. Fast drying and proper disinfection help slow the damage.

Why Shovelling and Hosing a Riverside Home at Pom Phet Is Not Enough

River silt is fine and sticky. Once dry it locks into wood grain, grout and porous concrete. Pressure-washing removes the bulk but throws up a spray of muddy droplets that can carry germs onto upper walls and ceilings, and into the lungs of anyone not wearing a mask.

Floor cleaners and detergents remove dirt but are not mainly designed to kill germs. Home-mixed bleach needs the right ratio, must never be mixed with toilet cleaners or ammonia, loses strength in mud and can bleach or damage wood and fabric.

Timber houses have many hard-to-reach spots: gaps between floorboards, under stairs, vents beneath the ground floor, behind built-in cupboards and the timber frame under raised floors. Trained technicians spraying or fogging disinfectant can reach these more evenly with the right contact time, but only after mud removal, washing and some drying, never sprayed over mud.

How the WHD Post-Flood Spraying Service Works for Homes and Guesthouses Around Pom Phet

According to World Health Disinfection's service information, trained technicians spray and/or ULV-fog (Ultra Low Volume fine mist) using CHEMGENE HLD4H, a medical-grade disinfectant from the United Kingdom containing Benzalkonium Chloride and Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride. The service page lists viruses, bacteria and fungi including COVID-19, RSV, H1N1, H5N1 and hand-foot-mouth virus, with a stated efficacy of 99.99%, and lists approvals or endorsements from the Thai Department of Medical Sciences, Mahidol University, NHS England and EN 14476:2013+A2:2019. Customers listed include hospitals, schools, malls, airports, offices and residential buildings.

1. Survey and assessment: send photos, a floor plan, the area and the flood height to 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268. WHD is based in Bang Khae, Bangkok 10160 and has no branch in Ayutthaya; upcountry visits are arranged in advance case by case.
2. Mud removal and washing: remove all mud, discard mattresses, carpets and soaked materials, wash floors, walls and furniture with clean water and detergent, and let air flow to dry.
3. Preparation and zoning: remove food, personal items and appliances, and divide the property into zones such as bathroom, kitchen, guest rooms and the area under the house.
4. Spraying: people, pets and guests leave the zone being sprayed. Technicians treat floors, lower walls, under stairs, shared touch points and bathrooms.
5. Waiting and re-entry: the service information says to wait about 30 minutes before normal use. Follow the time the technicians give on the day, and ask whether food-contact surfaces and children's items should be wiped before use.

According to the service information, customers receive a free CHEMGENE spray bottle and WELLGIENIC wet tissues, and a tax invoice is available. Pricing depends on size and condition, so please ask the team. If a timber house still smells musty after spraying, ozone treatment can be considered as an extra step.

10 Reasons Homes, Shops and Guesthouses Around Pom Phet Should Disinfect After the Flood

1. Fast water from the river confluence carries more mud, rubbish and sewage than ordinary standing floods.
2. River mud can carry soil germs such as the melioidosis bacterium, plus rat urine linked to leptospirosis after floods.
3. Old timber houses have many crevices, and ULV mist reaches them more evenly than wiping.
4. Guesthouses and restaurants must keep shared touch points safe for visitors.
5. CHEMGENE HLD4H is a medical-grade disinfectant used in hospitals and public buildings, according to the service information.
6. Trained technicians use suitable quantities and contact times, avoiding home-mixing risks.
7. It helps reduce musty odours from bacteria and mould in floors and walls.
8. Crawling babies and older family members get better protection.
9. Owners can tell guests the property has been washed and given post-flood disinfection spraying.
10. Tax invoices are available for businesses, and the team is easy to reach on LINE @whd268.

Before and After Spraying: A Riverside Timber Home Near Pom Phet

Recovery Checklist for Pom Phet and Ayutthaya Island

Before spraying

• Wait until officials say it is safe, and beware of strong currents along the bank.
• Switch off ground-floor power and have an electrician check before use.
• Wear rubber boots, gloves and a mask while shovelling mud.
• Discard food, medicines and cosmetics that touched the water, plus mattresses, carpets and sponges.
• Wash floors, walls and furniture with clean water and detergent.
• Open windows and use fans to dry timber within 24 to 48 hours.
• Clean water tanks and check the water supply.

After spraying

• Wait for the technicians' re-entry time, then ventilate.
• Wipe food-contact surfaces and children's toys as the technicians advise.
• Set rat traps and use lidded bins.
• Watch for new mould and tell the team if it appears.
• See a doctor for fever, calf pain, diarrhoea, rashes or inflamed wounds, and ask about tetanus vaccination for dirty wounds.

FAQ: Post-Flood Disinfection on Ayutthaya Island

Q: Can a timber house be sprayed without damage?
A: Technicians assess materials first and adjust the method. Tell the team in advance about carved wood or antiques so they can be moved or covered.

Q: How long must a guesthouse stay closed?
A: It depends on how long mud removal, washing and drying take. For each sprayed zone, the service information says to wait about 30 minutes, then follow the technicians' timing.

Q: Can WHD travel to Ayutthaya?
A: WHD has no Ayutthaya branch but serves other provinces by advance appointment via phone or LINE, confirming possible dates after assessment.

Q: Is there no residue at all?
A: Do not assume so. For surfaces that touch food, toys or skin, ask whether they should be wiped with clean water before use.

Q: Does it kill melioidosis or leptospirosis bacteria?
A: Both are bacteria. The product is stated to cover bacteria in general, but no specific tests for these two are listed; ask the team for data. Protect yourself while shovelling and see a doctor if you develop a fever.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: It depends on area, zones and condition. Send details to LINE @whd268 or call 065-556-6294.

Get Your Pom Phet Home or Guesthouse Ready Again

Remove the mud, wash and dry, then let the WHD team spray zone by zone before family and guests return.

See the Disinfection Spraying Service

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE @whd268

Related Links and References

• World Health Disinfection spraying service
• CHEMGENE HLD4H disinfectant
• Residential ozone disinfection
• TOP News, Chao Phraya surges into the Pom Phet riverside (3 October 2026): topnews.co.th
• Government Public Relations Department, DDPM flood update (7 October 2026): prd.go.th
• CDC floods and cleanup: https://www.cdc.gov/floods/
• World Health Organization fact sheets: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets
• Thai Department of Disease Control: https://ddc.moph.go.th/