Picture courtesy of Thai Newsroom

 

A Thai senator has raised concerns about increased flooding due to Malaysia's construction of a border wall in Kelantan, opposite Thailand’s Narathiwat province. The Malaysian government has allocated 11 billion baht to build the wall, aimed at curbing cross-border crime and smuggling. However, the structure may worsen flooding in Thai regions during the rainy season by affecting the natural flow of the Sungai Kolok river.

 

The initial phase of the project involves demolishing 250 illegal border crossings over 45km. This demolition is expected to take two months and will limit unauthorised movements between the two countries. The Kelantan government aims to complete the border wall within two years, hoping to combat illegal activities such as drug trafficking and smuggling.

 

Senator Chaiyong Meerungsakul, a member of the Senate Committee on Military and State Security, acknowledges some benefits for Thailand, including reducing illegal smuggling and blocking separatist militia activities. Still, he emphasises the urgent need for a governmental plan to tackle the potentially severe flooding. Villages in Thailand's Narathiwat province already experience significant flooding annually, with waters sometimes reaching rooftops.

 

Pol. Lt. Gen. Dato’ Mohammad Yusof Mamat, from the Kelantan Police, initiated construction on 28 October. Thai authorities are now urged to develop preventive strategies before the flood situation worsens, affecting multiple districts. Senator Chaiyong stresses the importance of anticipating the problem rather than reacting after floods hit.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Malaysia's border wall may worsen Thai flooding during rains.
• The project benefits security but risks severe inundation in Narathiwat.
• The Thai government is urged to address flood challenges preemptively.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-11-03

 

 

How does a wall built, one hopes, on dry land, cause extra flooding ?

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

How does a wall built, one hopes, on dry land, cause extra flooding ?

Because the Malaysian border wall will also acts as a flood defence; water that would flood the Malaysian side is simply added to the water flooding the Thai side.

On 11/2/2025 at 8:14 PM, webfact said:

A Thai senator has raised concerns about increased flooding due to Malaysia's construction of a border wall in Kelantan, opposite Thailand’s Narathiwat province.

 

Nice looking "wall in the pic" 

A bit of  regular flooding would improve Golok.