Photo via Facebook/ Weerapong Narongkul

 

A significant flood crisis in southern Thailand has triggered public criticism towards the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) after a private Facebook meteorologist's warning proved accurate. The anonymous page, ที’ ลมฟ้าอากาศ, had forecasted extensive flooding from November 18, prompting accusations of fake news from authorities before the events unfolded. Subsequent flooding affected districts such as Hat Yai in Songkhla, leaving thousands stranded.

 

The situation began when the Facebook page issued a warning predicting over 1,000 millimeters of rainfall across southern Thailand, emphasizing continuous rain between November 20 and 24. Initially calling it a "thousand-year rain," the page later revised the terminology to prevent public panic after facing accusations from the government's Anti-Fake News Centre. Despite official reassurances, many residents in the affected regions were unprepared for the severe flooding that ensued.

 

Floodwaters significantly impacted local communities, reaching the upper floors of homes and leaving numerous residents trapped on rooftops. The resulting conditions led to acute shortages of essential supplies like food and water, with rescue efforts hampered by strong currents. Questions arose about the Anti-Fake News Centre’s initial labeling of the forecast as misinformation, as residents faced dire outcomes they had been inadequately warned about.

 

Following the outcry, TMD clarified on November 25 that their contention was with the phrasing rather than the overall forecast, particularly terms like “great flood.” Nonetheless, this clarification failed to placate the public, with continued calls for accountability from TMD. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for more cautious and transparent communication from official channels during weather emergencies, reported The Thaiger.

 

Key Takeaways

• A private Facebook page accurately predicted severe floods while initially dismissed by authorities.
• Flooding caused serious disruptions, highlighting communication issues between officials and the public.
• Public demands for accountability and transparency from TMD are growing post-crisis.

 

Related Stories

Thailand's South Hit by Heaviest Rain in 300 Years

Flooding forces evacuations in Songkhla

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-11-26

 

 

 

The public are treated with complete and utter disdain and contempt by their lords and masters in the civil service.

They're in charge and won't miss a chance to let anyone else know it.
 

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

prompting accusations of fake news from authorities before the events unfolded.

This is the problem with governments now. If something is said that does not go along with their repertoire, they slap a fake news logo on it and disregard it or have it pulled from the net. 

The Malaysian Meteorological Department issued severe storm and possible major flooding  warnings before the weather system hit Malaysia and Thailand.

 

It seems that Thailand choose to ignore these warnings.

 

The Malaysians were prepared; Thailand on the other hand ....

 

And how long has it taken the Anutin Government to respond?

4 hours ago, ukrules said:

The public are treated with complete and utter disdain and contempt by their lords and masters in the civil service.

They're in charge and won't miss a chance to let anyone else know it.
 

It may be cold comfort, but it's not just Thailand, in many other countries, we are afflicted with the same people who think they can rule us but in practice make a complete mess of things.
But there is a saying: ‘The people get the government they deserve.’

The trouble - for members of the public - is to be able to distinguish between serious evidence-based warnings and populist hysteria.

 

The current business re 3I/Atlas is another example. And the Trumpist guvamint.

 

The question is: Who do we trust? And on what basis?

The evidence, if needed, is looking out the window!

5 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

It may be cold comfort, but it's not just Thailand

 

Indeed, I was being quite general in that statement and didn't get specific.

18 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

But there is a saying: ‘The people get the government they deserve.’

Not always. I think in Thailand’s case this is not true. In previous elections they have voted for change but the powers to be and the courts have revoked the people’s choice of leader and installed governments of their own choice to protect their own interests. 

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

TMD clarified on November 25 that their contention was with the phrasing rather than the overall forecast

typical spin, trying to deflect from their incompetence

1000 mm = 39.37 inches....my brain was raised on Imperial Units...

 

How in God's name would any professional who is responsible for monitoring pending rain storms can ignore this information?

 

WTF?  Flooding is a part of life here in this part of the world.  Preparation is key.

 

Now, they are dealing with Cobras and Pit Vipers looking for dry land.

38 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

 there is a saying: ‘The people get the government they deserve.’

Or maybe they vote into power the political party media misinformation leads them to believe in.  Few have the time and energy to ferret out what lies behind the hype.

 

39 minutes ago, LennyW said:

The evidence, if needed, is looking out the window!

Well, that doesn't help when the government defensive actions should have been taken months or years ago ...

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Jm6TxXa1L/

 

So sorry for everyone 😞 🙏 

This falls directly on the tiny shoulders of Anutin, and demonstrates why he has always been the wrong man for any position of leadership. 10 years of a failed Prayuth administration should have amply demonstrated that. 

37 minutes ago, Zack61 said:

Not always. I think in Thailand’s case this is not true. In previous elections they have voted for change but the powers to be and the courts have revoked the people’s choice of leader and installed governments of their own choice to protect their own interests. 

 

That may have been, but this upcoming election will be strictly what Thais want.  They can no longer blame the military or the elite in this election, as the Senate has been removed.

 

If parties fail to have PM candidates that pass the smell test, that is their (the people in the party) fault.

 

Just ike NYC the people got what they deserved 61% of the eligible voters voted for Mandami by simply not caring

 

Then there was the 1.1 mill voters that actually voted for him

 

After the next election, if Thais want to know why their country is going in the direction it is, they need to go look in a mirror and yell at the man or woman they see.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Zack61 said:

Not always. I think in Thailand’s case this is not true. In previous elections they have voted for change but the powers to be and the courts have revoked the people’s choice of leader and installed governments of their own choice to protect their own interests. 

The powers to be are Thais too and the public didn’t hold them accountable. Therefore the statement is very accurate indeed. They’re too lazy, non-caring to stand up for their rights.

1 hour ago, ericbj said:

Or maybe they vote into power the political party media misinformation leads them to believe in.  Few have the time and energy to ferret out what lies behind the hype.

 

It's possible, but in the country I come from, you can vote however you want, but they still do what they want, and if a certain party gets a lot of votes, the competition knows how to exclude that party. Democracy no longer exists in the form it used to.

1 hour ago, Bacon1 said:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Jm6TxXa1L/

 

So sorry for everyone 😞 🙏 

I see a large market for amphibious vehicles.

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

after a private Facebook meteorologist's warning proved accurate. The anonymous page, ที’ ลมฟ้าอากาศ, had forecasted extensive flooding from November 18, prompting accusations of fake news from authorities before the events unfolded. Subsequent flooding affected districts such as Hat Yai in Songkhla, leaving thousands stranded.

A Michael Fish moment... send the clean-up bill and financial losses to the authorities

I don't think the government could do much to prevent the damages, but warning and evacuation of the affected areas could definitely could have been better. Instead the focus should be to help as much as possible with food, shelter etc.

Shouldn't have stopped building their homes on stilts,ok granted in this case it wouldn't have helped.But as others have said, this region of the world is prone to flooding, build properties on stilts, get the living area off the ground. Helps cool the place down at the same time with air flow.

8 hours ago, thesetat said:

This is the problem with governments now. If something is said that does not go along with their repertoire, they slap a fake news logo on it and disregard it or have it pulled from the net. 

 

Yes indeed, like the Thai responses to media reports of its border conflict with Cambodia - fake news and propaganda from the Thai Military!

5 hours ago, Peterphuket said:

It's possible, but in the country I come from, you can vote however you want, but they still do what they want, and if a certain party gets a lot of votes, the competition knows how to exclude that party. Democracy no longer exists in the form it used to.

I guess you are referring to a "proportional representation" system, which can take several forms.

Such as, representatives in proportion to the number of constituencies gained [so a multiplicity of parties in parliament and the need to form a coalition government if there is none with more than 50% of the vote]

Or, if no party has more than 50% of the votes in any given constituency, re-counting those of the party with the least votes according to their second preferences.  And so on if necessary, until one party emerges with more than 50%.  The latter was the Australian system in my days of yore in T.P.N.G.

 

In the U.K. there is the notorious, long-established, first-past-the-post system.  Which enabled Labour (a misnomer these days) to come to power with 33.7% of the votes cast; allegedly mainly a reaction to Conservative mismanagement.  But also undoubtedly due, as with all parties, to election promises quickly reneged on.

 

We are faced with a problem of 'represntatives' who, once elected, do not represent those who voted for them.

 

A political party, once elected to power, should see itself as representing the overall interests of the country and not solely of one segment.  When the British National government of 1940-45 was replaced after a landslide election victory by Labour, the new government took steps to ensure that the Conservative presence in the House would continue to be heard.  Despite profound disagreements the solidarity of the war years had not yet come unstuck.

 

Reform is necessary, and needs to be thoroughly thought through.
The public must have better access to non-partisan public debate.
And there must be some means of holding political parties to account for major promises in their election platforms.
By referenda perhaps ?

 

7 hours ago, Peterphuket said:

It may be cold comfort, but it's not just Thailand, in many other countries, we are afflicted with the same people who think they can rule us but in practice make a complete mess of things.
But there is a saying: ‘The people get the government they deserve.’

Thailand did not vote for this government...

Nobody seems to have remembered the 2016/17 floods.

8 hours ago, Peterphuket said:

It may be cold comfort, but it's not just Thailand, in many other countries, we are afflicted with the same people who think they can rule us but in practice make a complete mess of things.
But there is a saying: ‘The people get the government they deserve.’

Not that “the people” voted for this particular government. In fact I would go so far as to say they voted for something entirely different!

12 hours ago, thesetat said:

This is the problem with governments now. If something is said that does not go along with their repertoire, they slap a fake news logo on it and disregard it or have it pulled from the net. 

The cowardly masses that hate hearing very disturbing, depressing truths, demand it to be removed, get no sympathy from me, as they were warned. Its how truthers get banned from social media platforms. Cowardly people are the world's biggest problem, as unimaginable EVIL thrives in that atmosphere. 

On 11/26/2025 at 4:06 PM, snoop1130 said:

Photo via Facebook/ Weerapong Narongkul

 

A significant flood crisis in southern Thailand has triggered public criticism towards the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) after a private Facebook meteorologist's warning proved accurate. The anonymous page, ที’ ลมฟ้าอากาศ, had forecasted extensive flooding from November 18, prompting accusations of fake news from authorities before the events unfolded. Subsequent flooding affected districts such as Hat Yai in Songkhla, leaving thousands stranded.

 

The situation began when the Facebook page issued a warning predicting over 1,000 millimeters of rainfall across southern Thailand, emphasizing continuous rain between November 20 and 24. Initially calling it a "thousand-year rain," the page later revised the terminology to prevent public panic after facing accusations from the government's Anti-Fake News Centre. Despite official reassurances, many residents in the affected regions were unprepared for the severe flooding that ensued.

 

Floodwaters significantly impacted local communities, reaching the upper floors of homes and leaving numerous residents trapped on rooftops. The resulting conditions led to acute shortages of essential supplies like food and water, with rescue efforts hampered by strong currents. Questions arose about the Anti-Fake News Centre’s initial labeling of the forecast as misinformation, as residents faced dire outcomes they had been inadequately warned about.

 

Following the outcry, TMD clarified on November 25 that their contention was with the phrasing rather than the overall forecast, particularly terms like “great flood.” Nonetheless, this clarification failed to placate the public, with continued calls for accountability from TMD. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for more cautious and transparent communication from official channels during weather emergencies, reported The Thaiger.

 

Key Takeaways

• A private Facebook page accurately predicted severe floods while initially dismissed by authorities.
• Flooding caused serious disruptions, highlighting communication issues between officials and the public.
• Public demands for accountability and transparency from TMD are growing post-crisis.

 

Related Stories

Thailand's South Hit by Heaviest Rain in 300 Years

Flooding forces evacuations in Songkhla

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-11-26

 

 

 

 

 

It is hard to know what is fact or fiction in Thailand.

 

Here in Phuket I get weather warnings frequently from the official Thai Meteorology office on my iPhone.

 

Heavy rain expected at 16:00 for example, danger to property, risk to life etc.

 

Many of the times it does not even rain, I treat the warnings like a pinch of salt as I am sure most Thais do.

 

I got them in the UK when I was there for five months earlier this year from the authorities in the UK, they were accurate mostly. 

 

There is no flooding ever in my area in Phuket but I always make sure I have extra food and drinking water stored for any possible emergency, I doubt if that is a trait many Thais have. 

 

Is the Thai government meant to put up impossible flood barriers around the thousands of square miles of low lying land which many Thais choose to build on?

 

Does not the general public not have to take on some responsibility themselves and not expect the government to do everything for them?

 

 

15 hours ago, ericbj said:

Or maybe they vote into power the political party media misinformation leads them to believe in.  Few have the time and energy to ferret out what lies behind the hype.

 

And those that do receive no thanks for doing so, often attacked and vilified not just by those they criticise and expose but by their brainwashed supporters and in many cases paid activists / troublemakers following instructions