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Bangkok, Oktober 3, 2026 – Severe flooding across central Thailand has forced Toyota and Honda to suspend operations at multiple plants, underscoring the vulnerability of Asia’s auto hub to climate shocks.
Torrential rains inundated industrial zones and cut off transport routes, leaving suppliers unable to deliver critical components.
Toyota announced the suspension of production at four facilities, including its Samrong plant in Samut Prakan and the Gateway and Ban Pho plants in Chachoengsao.
The company cited parts shortages after floodwaters exceeding 320 millimeters in three days made major roads impassable.
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Thailand’s role as a regional export base for pickup trucks and SUVs means the disruption could ripple across Asian markets.
Honda followed suit, halting operations at its Prachin Buri and Ayutthaya plants between October 2 and 6. Chief executive Koji Iwanami said suppliers in Chonburi and Rayong were unable to deliver, forcing a temporary shutdown.
Honda plans to resume production on October 7 with overtime shifts to recover lost output.
The stoppages highlight the fragility of just in time supply chains, which leave little buffer against natural disasters.
Analysts estimate industrial losses could exceed one billion baht, or roughly US$27 million, though the full impact on exports remains unclear.
Beyond the factory gates, the floods have devastated communities in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
Workers have been stranded, homes inundated, and transport networks paralyzed.
Both automakers allowed employees affected by the floods to take leave, prioritizing safety as recovery efforts continue.
Thailand’s auto industry, which contributes about 10 percent of GDP and employs hundreds of thousands, has long been a cornerstone of Japanese investment in Southeast Asia.
The latest disruption revives memories of the 2011 floods, when prolonged inundation crippled production for months and sent shockwaves through global supply chains.
The episode underscores a growing challenge: climate resilience.
As extreme weather events intensify, manufacturers face mounting pressure to diversify supply bases and invest in infrastructure capable of withstanding floods.
For Thailand, the stakes are high. Its reputation as a reliable production hub depends on balancing industrial growth with climate adaptation.
For Toyota and Honda, the immediate priority is restoring operations.
But the broader lesson is clear in an era of climate volatility, the cost of disruption is rising, and the world’s auto giants must rethink how they build resilience into the heart of their supply chains.
