At Thailand’s largest retail chain 7-Eleven stores, some shelves were emptied as large numbers of customers bought ready-to-eat meals, fresh and dried foods, drinks including fresh milk, yogurt drinks and soft drinks, as well as bread and snacks, according to The Nation.
An employee at one branch said that customer numbers had risen sharply in the weekend, prompting the store to order additional supplies. Some customers were unable to find their desired items as stock ran out.
“One reason is probably that people are worried about flooding and that they may not have enough food,” the employee said.
|
A vendor sells vegetables from a stall surrounded by flood waters in the Bang Kapi district of Bangkok on September 27, 2026. Photo by AFP |
In the Soi Ramintra 19 area, stores were running out of essential items such as instant noodles, various breads, and frozen food. At least one gas station has reported that it was out of fuel, according to Thai PBS.
Many people chose to walk to the market to hoard rice and canned food as transportation was paralyzed.
The Standard reported that store employees hurried to restock shelves but could not keep up with demand from shoppers concerned that rising floodwaters on roads might prevent them from going out to buy supplies.
Bangkok recorded more than 300 mm of rainfall in some areas between Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning, filling canals and flooding homes, shops and major roads.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has declared that all 50 districts in the city are disaster-affected. The order followed persistent heavy rain that caused flooding, severe traffic congestion and disruption to daily life, while threatening public safety and property.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has instructed relevant agencies and provincial commerce offices nationwide to closely monitor the availability and prices of essential consumer goods.
The ministry is working with wholesalers and retailers to speed up deliveries and restock affected areas to prevent shortages. Officials have also been directed to monitor transport problems in disaster-hit locations that could disrupt distribution.