The 2026 (B.E. 2569) Amphawa Flood: What Was Reported

According to Daily News on 2 October 2026 (B.E. 2569), the Mae Klong River overflowed its banks and flooded orchards and homes in Amphawa to above knee height. The water rose almost to the walkway on the Bang Nok Khwaek floodgate, and the grounds of several temples were nearly full of water. The Mae Klong Dam reduced its discharge from 2,150 to 1,889 cubic metres per second, and the water was expected to recede within two to three days (source: Daily News, 2 Oct 2026). Conditions change daily, so always follow local announcements as well.

Nationally, Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported, as of 06:00 on 7 October 2026 (B.E. 2569), that flooding affected 27 provinces plus Bangkok, covering 123 districts and 984 sub-districts, with 1,154,875 households and more than 3.1 million people affected (source: Government Public Relations Department). Amphawa is one of many communities now starting the long job of cleaning up.

Amphawa has its own character. Many homes are wooden houses on the water, raised houses with open ground floors, or single-storey concrete homes set among orchard ditches. When the Mae Klong pushes up, the water does not just cover roads; it seeps under houses, into ground-floor bathrooms, kitchens and storerooms. That lingering dampness is exactly what yeasts and molds like best.

A Typical Scenario: A House Beside a Pomelo Orchard

Example case written to illustrate a common situation. It is not an interview with any resident.

Auntie Daeng has lived most of her life in a single-storey concrete house behind a pomelo orchard. The bathroom sits at the back, beside an orchard ditch, slightly lower than the rest of the house. Every year some water seeps in during high tides, but never above the knee like this year. On the night the Mae Klong overflowed, water came through the back door and flooded the bathroom, the kitchen and the ground-floor bedroom where her six-month-old granddaughter slept with her mother.

Three days later the water was gone. The family swept out mud, washed floors and carried blankets outside to dry. But showers kept coming, nothing dried properly, water sat in the gaps between tiles, and the grout began to show slimy pinkish-grey streaks. A sour, stale-bread smell drifted out every time someone opened the bathroom door.

A week later the baby's mother noticed a red rash in the creases of the baby's thighs and under the nappy, and white patches inside her mouth that did not wipe away easily. Auntie Daeng, who had been washing things in water all day without gloves, developed red, swollen, painful skin around her nails. The family went to a doctor, who explained that these symptoms may be linked to Candida yeast, which thrives on skin that stays damp, and advised keeping the house dry and changing and washing fabrics often alongside treatment.

The family then made a new plan. They threw away the soaked doormat and mattress, scrubbed the bathroom, replaced stained grout, opened the house to cross-ventilation and ran a dehumidifier until the floors were dry. Only then did they contact a team to ask about ozone treatment for the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen on a day when everyone stayed with relatives.

What Is Candida?

Candida is a yeast: a single-celled fungus that multiplies by budding, unlike the thread-like molds that form fuzzy patches on walls. The best-known species is Candida albicans. Normally it lives on the skin and in the mouth, gut and genital area of many healthy people without causing problems, because the body and other resident microbes keep it in check.

Trouble starts when that balance is upset. Skin that stays wet and warm for too long, small abrasions, a weakened immune system or certain chronic conditions allow Candida to multiply and cause an infection called candidiasis. In most people this affects the skin, nails or mucous membranes. It is usually not serious, but it can be itchy, sore and very disruptive.

The link with floods is simple: Candida thrives where it is warm and damp. Wet skin rubbing inside rubber boots, sweaty rubber gloves, nappies that cannot be changed often enough during a power or water cut, and bathrooms that stay wet for days all create good growing conditions.

How Candida differs from black and green mold

Most of the black and green mold that appears on walls after a flood is filamentous mold that releases spores into the air. Candida, by contrast, tends to live on wet surfaces: slimy films in bathrooms, drains, grout, kitchen sponges, damp cloths and human skin. It does not float through the air in the way mold spores do, so prevention focuses on washing, scrubbing and drying surfaces rather than air filtering alone.

Why Candida Grows More Easily After the 2026 Amphawa Flood

Moisture lingers for days. Homes beside the Mae Klong and orchard ditches are always close to water. Even after the house drains, the ditches remain high, the ground under the house stays wet, and concrete floors keep wicking moisture upward. Indoor humidity stays high for many days.

Bathrooms are the hardest rooms to dry. Many provincial homes have bathrooms at the back or below floor level, with small windows and no extractor fan. Flood silt settles between tiles, under basins, around the toilet base and in floor drains, where microbial slime known as biofilm builds up.

Skin stays wet. During and after a flood people wade, wash, carry and work in orchards all day. Hands and feet are wet for hours inside boots and gloves. Softened skin with tiny abrasions is an easy place for yeast to multiply.

Water and power cuts. When electricity or tap water is interrupted, bathing, changing clothes and laundry all become harder. Babies in nappies and elderly people who need help are especially exposed to moisture rashes.

Where Yeast and Damp Hide in a Flooded Home

• Bathrooms, especially grout, bath and shower edges, under the toilet rim and around floor drains.
• Ground-floor tiles and concrete with a thin film of silt in the joints that has never fully dried.
• Doormats, rugs and woven mats that were submerged and reused without proper washing and drying.
• Towels, hand towels and cleaning rags hung in a damp bathroom all day.
• Sponges and scrubbing brushes used on mud and then left wet.
• Mattresses, futons, pillows and cushions that absorbed water and are very hard to dry inside.
• Rubber boots, sandals and gloves used for wading, sweaty inside and never put in the sun.
• Under-house spaces and storerooms with stale, earthy or drain-like odours.
• Kitchens: cabinets under the sink, waste pipes and wooden chopping boards that were submerged.

These spots harbour not only Candida but bacteria, molds and many other microbes carried in by floodwater, so recovery has to cover surfaces, drying and indoor air together.

Symptoms That May Be Linked to Candida After a Flood

The following is general information to help you notice changes in yourself and your family. It is not a diagnosis. If anyone has symptoms, see a doctor or pharmacist for proper advice.

• Red rashes in skin folds such as under the breasts, in the groin, armpits, between fingers or under the belly, often bright red with small spots around the edge, itchy or stinging.
• A nappy rash that will not clear in babies, sometimes with small spots spreading outward.
• White patches in the mouth on the tongue, cheeks or palate that are hard to wipe off and may hurt when eating. Seen in babies, older adults and denture wearers.
• Red, swollen, painful nail folds, common in people whose hands are wet for long periods, such as those washing dishes and cleaning flooded homes for days.
• White, soggy skin between the toes, itchy and smelly after a day in boots or wading. This has several possible causes, including yeast and skin fungi.
• Unusual discharge and itching in women, which also has several possible causes. See a doctor rather than repeatedly self-medicating.

Who is most at risk

• Babies and toddlers in nappies.
• Older adults, bedridden patients and anyone using adult incontinence products.
• People with diabetes, particularly if blood sugar is poorly controlled.
• People with weakened immunity, including those receiving cancer treatment, immunosuppressants or steroids.
• People who have recently taken antibiotics.
• Pregnant women.
• Anyone whose hands are wet all day: orchard workers, market vendors, dishwashers and cleanup volunteers.
• People with deep skin folds that stay damp easily.

Fever, spreading redness, pus or symptoms that do not improve need medical care. Anyone who waded through floodwater and develops a high fever, calf pain or red eyes must tell their doctor about the exposure, because this may be leptospirosis, which is unrelated to yeast and needs prompt treatment.

The Real Cost for Families in Amphawa

Health. A rash, a sore nail fold or mouth patches in a baby may look minor, but they disturb sleep and eating and can mean repeated clinic trips while some roads are still wet. Family members with allergies may also flare up in damp, moldy air.

Money and time. Pomelo, lychee and coconut growers must restore their orchards quickly. Taking time off to care for a sick child, or throwing away more bedding that has turned moldy, adds to losses already suffered.

Tourism and guesthouses. Amphawa is known for homestays and riverside guesthouses. A musty bathroom, slimy grout and towels that smell are the first things guests notice, and they show up in reviews. Getting rooms clean and dry before reopening matters.

Why Scrubbing, Air Freshener or a Fan Alone Is Not Enough

1. Moisture stays under tiles and in grout

Cleaning makes surfaces look fresh, but if water remains under tiles, in cracks and in failing grout, the slime returns within days. Drying matters as much as washing.

2. Air freshener only masks odours

Musty, drain-like and sour smells come from microbes and residues. Sprays and deodoriser blocks add fragrance for a while but leave the source untouched. When the scent fades, the old smell returns.

3. Reusing soaked fabrics and rugs

Towels, doormats and blankets soaked in muddy water become a source of microbes against the skin unless they are washed thoroughly and fully dried. Thick mattresses and large rugs that cannot be dried usually have to go.

4. Cleaning what you see and forgetting the air

After a flood, the air in a room closed for days holds humidity, floating mold spores and odours trapped in curtains, ceilings and furniture. Wiping surfaces alone does not make the whole room feel clean. This is where ozone, after cleaning, plays a supporting role.

Ozone Disinfection After the 2026 Amphawa Flood with WHD: How It Works and Where It Fits

Ozone (O3) is a form of oxygen with three atoms and strong oxidising power. According to the company, ozone breaks down the cell structures of viruses, bacteria and fungi as well as odour molecules, then reverts to oxygen (O2), leaving no chemical residue on surfaces. The company states that its service has been tested and certified by Thailand's Department of Medical Sciences and Intertek (UK) for eliminating viruses, bacteria and fungi at 99.99%, according to the company's certification.

For Candida specifically, we do not claim ozone eliminates this yeast everywhere in a home. Candida belongs to the fungi, one of the groups WHD's ozone service targets according to the company, and you are welcome to ask the team for test data. Most importantly, ozone is a supporting step after washing, scrubbing and drying. It does not replace cleaning, replacing flooded materials, or medical care.

Ozone's strength is that the gas spreads through the whole room, reaching the air, corners, ceilings, the undersides of furniture and surfaces a cloth cannot reach. That suits musty bathrooms, bedrooms and storerooms after a flood. It does not penetrate deep inside wet porous materials such as thick mattresses, gypsum board or soaked carpet, which must be removed or discarded as appropriate.

WHD's ozone process for flood-affected homes

1. Survey and assessment. Send photos or video of bathrooms, bedrooms and musty areas by LINE. The team estimates the area, the number of zones and what to prepare.
2. Clean and dry first. Remove mud, scrub bathrooms, grout and drains, discard soaked materials that cannot be dried, and dry the rooms with airflow or a dehumidifier.
3. Empty and seal the room. People, pets and plants leave the area. Doors and windows are closed so ozone stays in the room for the set time.
4. Ozone cycle, zone by zone. About 30 minutes per zone, depending on room size and conditions. The team controls the equipment and timing for each room.
5. Rest and ventilate. After the cycle, the room rests so ozone can break down, then it is ventilated as the technician advises before anyone goes back in.
6. Re-entry and ongoing care. Check for odour, moisture and returning stains. Keep the bathroom dry every day so yeast and mold do not come back.

Is Ozone Dangerous? Safety Rules Before Treatment

High-concentration ozone used to treat rooms irritates the airways. Breathing it can cause a stinging nose, coughing and chest tightness, especially in children, older adults and people with asthma. Follow these rules every time:

• The room must be empty: no people, pets or plants during treatment.
• Keep the room closed and do not open the door mid-cycle.
• Ventilate before re-entry, waiting out the rest period as the technician advises.
• Always clean and dry first. Ozone does not remove mud or dry a wet wall.
• It is not medical treatment. Anyone with a rash, nail infection, mouth patches, fever or other symptoms should see a doctor.

Done correctly, ozone reverts to oxygen and leaves no residue, which suits homes with babies and older relatives where families do not want chemical smells lingering in bedrooms.

10 Reasons Amphawa Homes Should Consider Ozone After the 2026 Flood

1. The bathroom is the dampest room in the house. Once cleaned and dried, ozone bathroom treatment reaches air and surfaces a cloth cannot.
2. It reduces musty, drain and earthy odours that sprays only mask for a while.
3. No chemical residue, because ozone reverts to oxygen. Good for children's bedrooms.
4. It reaches high corners and tight gaps such as bathroom ceilings, behind cabinets and under beds.
5. It targets viruses, bacteria and fungi at 99.99% according to the company's certification.
6. It suits riverside homes that are damp all year, as a supporting step after recovering from the Mae Klong surge.
7. It helps homestays reopen with rooms free of musty smells, so new curtains and bedding do not absorb old odours.
8. Short cycles of about 30 minutes per zone, followed by rest and ventilation.
9. Guidance on preparing the home, from removing soaked materials to drying and treatment day. See residential ozone disinfection.
10. Peace of mind. Returning to rooms that are washed, dried and treated helps families feel ready for normal life, together with good personal hygiene.

Checklist: Preventing Candida and Musty Odours After the 2026 Amphawa Flood

Before entering

• Make sure ground-floor power is off and the structure is safe.
• Wear boots, rubber gloves and a mask; cover any wounds.
• Keep dry towels and spare clothes ready to change into after work.

After the water recedes, before ozone

• Remove all mud; wash floors, walls and bathrooms with clean water and cleaner as labelled.
• Scrub grout, bath edges and drains; replace failed grout.
• Discard mattresses, rugs and porous items that cannot be washed and dried.
• Wash towels, blankets and clothes as hot as practical and dry fully in the sun.
• Throw away sponges used during the flood.
• Ventilate and use fans and dehumidifiers until floors and walls are dry.

Treatment day

• People, pets and plants out of the room.
• Doors and windows closed; nobody enters mid-cycle.
• Wait for the rest and ventilation period the technician advises.

After ozone

• Wipe the bathroom dry after each use; hang towels outside it.
• Change nappies often and pat skin dry.
• Keep nails short, wear gloves for long washing jobs, dry hands well.
• Watch for rashes, mouth patches or nail changes, and see a doctor if they appear.

FAQ: Candida and Ozone After the Amphawa Flood

What is Candida and is it dangerous?

Candida is a yeast that normally lives on human skin and in the body. In healthy people it usually causes treatable skin, nail or mucous membrane infections. Babies, older adults, people with diabetes or weak immunity should take extra care and see a doctor when symptoms appear.

What are the symptoms of a Candida infection?

Common signs include itchy red rashes in skin folds, a stubborn nappy rash, white mouth patches, swollen nail folds and soggy skin between the toes. Other causes are possible, so get checked.

Why do I have an itchy rash after the flood?

Possible causes include irritation from dirty water, Candida yeast, skin fungi or bacteria. Spreading rash, pus or fever needs a doctor.

How do I get rid of a musty bathroom smell after a flood?

Flush drains, scrub grout and edges, discard soaked mats, then dry the room with airflow and a dehumidifier. Once dry, ozone in the empty room helps reduce lingering odours.

Does ozone get rid of Candida?

The company states its ozone service targets viruses, bacteria and fungi at 99.99% according to its certification. Candida is a fungus, but we make no claim for this species specifically. Ask the team for test data, and always clean and dry first.

Is ozone dangerous? Can I stay home during treatment?

Do not stay in the room. It must be empty of people, pets and plants and kept closed, then rested and ventilated as the technician advises.

How much does ozone treatment cost?

It depends on area, number of zones and site conditions. The team quotes after assessing photos or a survey. Call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Is there ozone service near me in Amphawa?

WHD is based in Bang Khae, Bangkok 10160, with no branch in Samut Songkhram. For Amphawa and other provinces, contact the team by phone or LINE to confirm travel and dates.

How long should the house dry before ozone?

It depends on the house and weather. Floors and walls must be truly dry with no standing water. Health agencies advise starting cleanup and drying as quickly as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours, to limit mold growth.

Talk to WHD About Ozone After the 2026 Amphawa Flood

Musty bathroom, damp downstairs bedroom, or a homestay getting ready for guests? Send photos and the team will help plan cleaning, drying and safe ozone treatment.

See the Ozone Disinfection Service

Call 065-556-6294 · LINE @whd268

World Health Disinfection, Bang Khae, Bangkok 10160. Provincial enquiries by phone and LINE. Pricing by quotation.

Related Links and References

• Residential and building ozone disinfection
• Ozone cleaning service
• Daily News, 2 Oct 2026: Mae Klong overflows into Amphawa
• PRD: national flood summary, 7 Oct 2026
• CDC: Floods
• Thailand Department of Disease Control

Health information here is general and is not a medical diagnosis.