Hat Yai Prepares for Potential Flooding: Lessons from Past Disasters

As heavy rains approach southern Thailand, the municipality of Hat Yai is taking proactive measures to prepare for potential flooding. Local officials are focusing on enhancing drainage systems and emergency protocols, drawing lessons from the severe flooding that affected the region last year.

According to Narongporn Na Phatthalung, the Mayor of Hat Yai, teams have been deployed to clean and dredge drainage canals, which were clogged with mud and debris from last year's floods. The municipality aims to complete this work within a month to improve water flow during the rainy season. The estimated budget for these preparations is around 60 million baht, which includes funds for purchasing equipment and establishing additional evacuation centers for residents.

“Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized the importance of being prepared for flooding, highlighting readiness to evacuate people and maintain emergency shelters and drainage systems.”Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized the importance of being prepared, noting that while flooding cannot be prevented, it is essential to be ready to evacuate people and ensure that emergency shelters and drainage systems are fully operational. He highlighted that Hat Yai is a key economic hub, and flooding could severely impact growth opportunities in the area.

In the past decade, Hat Yai has faced multiple significant flooding events, with the most recent disaster in November 2025 resulting in 170 fatalities and estimated damages between 20 billion to 25 billion baht. This history of severe flooding has contributed to hesitance among local businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), regarding future investments. Somporn Siriporananon, a former vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of Songkhla province, indicated that the business sector is hesitant to invest in recovery efforts due to the ongoing risk of flooding.

“Somporn Siriporananon noted that the business sector is hesitant to invest in recovery efforts due to the ongoing risk of flooding.”Somporn Siriporananon, former vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of Songkhla province

The Songkhla provincial administration is implementing a comprehensive flood management plan. This includes monitoring weather conditions and water levels closely, maintaining communication systems for emergencies, and ensuring that evacuation protocols are well-practiced and understood by the community.

Officials are urging residents to stay informed about weather updates and to be prepared for possible evacuations. The lessons learned from past flooding incidents are critical in shaping effective responses to future challenges, as the community seeks to safeguard both lives and livelihoods.