Photo by chalabalaphotos via Canva

 

A helicopter involved in a flood rescue mission allegedly crashed near Sikarin Hospital in Hat Yai, Songkhla province. Local police reported the incident, but another government agency later claimed it was fake news. The situation has left authorities and residents confused amidst ongoing severe flooding.

 

Reports suggest the crash happened at approximately 11 am while the helicopter supported rescue operations for flood-affected residents. However, officials have not confirmed if the helicopter was military, police, or from another government unit. Efforts are underway to verify these details and provide aid, though access to the area is challenging due to flooding.

 

Hat Yai Police Station Superintendent, Thammarat Phetnongchum, mentioned receiving information about the crash from the Royal Thai Air Force but stated the helicopter's origin remains unknown. He noted that the site is heavily flooded and is working to determine any injuries resulting from the crash.

 

Contradicting this, the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 denied the crash through its official Facebook, labeling the reports as fake news. This conflicting information has sparked online confusion, with locals and netizens urging clarity from authorities. Some eyewitnesses claim the helicopter caught fire before crashing into floodwaters.

 

Calls for the government to urgently address the situation have intensified as mixed messages continue to circulate. Uncertainty remains as social media users demand an official statement to clarify the incident and its implications.

 

Adding to the area's challenges, Hat Yai Hospital rejected reports of more than 100 deaths due to a power cut during the floods, stating only 14 fatalities occurred and patient care remained unaffected. Flooding conditions in Hat Yai are worsening, prompting evacuation orders, yet many residents remain stranded in their homes.

 

With rescue operations ongoing, the Songkhla province is under an Emergency Decree following a Cabinet decision. Authorities and rescue teams are working tirelessly to aid affected communities, reported The Thaiger.

 

Key Takeaways

• Conflicting reports have emerged over a helicopter crash during flood rescues in Hat Yai.
• Official denial by ISOC Region 4 contrasts with local police reports, leading to public confusion.
• Songkhla province remains under an Emergency Decree due to worsening floods.

 

Related Stories

Mother Drowns, Daughter Rescued in Hat Yai Flood Tragedy

PM Criticized for Slow Flood Response in Hat Yai

 

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

 

 

 

If true, 'It's not unusual'. To quote Tom Jones. It happens all the time here in Thailand. One wonders about maintenance issues?

3 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

If true, 'It's not unusual'. To quote Tom Jones. It happens all the time here in Thailand. One wonders about maintenance issues?

Helicopter crashes happen world wide. Just ask the family of Kobe Bryant or the Thai family that owns Leicester City football club, or just google the myriad of other crashes.

Ironically, the Thai Department of Rainmaking are flying their Bell in the area this morning.

3 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Helicopter crashes happen world wide. Just ask the family of Kobe Bryant or the Thai family that owns Leicester City football club, or just google the myriad of other crashes.

Of course.

This seems to have been a fake news story. There was no helicopter crash.

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Some eyewitnesses claim the helicopter caught fire before crashing into floodwaters.

While some deny it.... 

2 hours ago, Stocky said:

This seems to have been a fake news story. There was no helicopter crash.

 

 

Earlier today I saw a photo on social media here in Cambodia of this so-called helicopter crash in Hat Yai. It clearly showed a downed red/white painted helicopter on the bank of a canal and damaged. It bore the words "Hat Yai Rescue". I believe it was originally published in Khaosod English. The photo has since been removed. The Thai Military trying to save face again?

14 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 

 

Earlier today I saw a photo on social media here in Cambodia of this so-called helicopter crash in Hat Yai. It clearly showed a downed red/white painted helicopter on the bank of a canal and damaged. It bore the words "Hat Yai Rescue". I believe it was originally published in Khaosod English. The photo has since been removed. The Thai Military trying to save face again?

Well the report said it "crashed near Sikarin Hospital", the Sikarin is nowhere near any canal. I'm not saying censorship isn't possible, it just seems unlikely they could keep a story like that covered up. I've seen video footage of a red and white helicopter ferrying a patient to the Hat Yai Hospital, but the only markings on that were in Thai. The military helicopters in use are all dark green.

So they fly like they drive - not surprising 

2 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

 

Earlier today I saw a photo on social media here in Cambodia of this so-called helicopter crash in Hat Yai. It clearly showed a downed red/white painted helicopter on the bank of a canal and damaged. It bore the words "Hat Yai Rescue". I believe it was originally published in Khaosod English. The photo has since been removed. The Thai Military trying to save face again?

Oh dear, Cambodian propaganda again I am afraid. Assuming this was the image? It's from 2009, but they photoshopped the date on the news report. 

This was the incident:
 

 

1 hour ago, josephbloggs said:

Oh dear, Cambodian propaganda again I am afraid. Assuming this was the image? It's from 2009, but they photoshopped the date on the news report. 

This was the incident:
 

 

 

Thanks and with respect, no connection to Cambodian propaganda whatsoever.

Yes this was the same photo I saw this morning whilst reading English language Thai media. It was published on either the Thaiger or Khaosod English websites whilst I was researching Thai news. Absolutely no mention in the Khmer Times or Phnom Penh Post, so fake news coming from Thailand itself, as later established.

1 hour ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Thanks and with respect, no connection to Cambodian propaganda whatsoever.

Yes this was the same photo I saw this morning whilst reading English language Thai media. It was published on either the Thaiger or Khaosod English websites whilst I was researching Thai news. Absolutely no mention in the Khmer Times or Phnom Penh Post, so fake news coming from Thailand itself, as later established.

Ok, apologies, when you said you saw it on social media in Cambodia I assumed it was a Cambodian social media feed.

However somebody deliberately photoshopped the dates, Thai or Cambodian. Not sure what anyone has to gain from doing that really.

Edit: Actually, it was posted by a Cambodian who has a history of posting fabricated stuff about Thailand. Whether he faked it himself or saw it elsewhere and reposted it I don't know........but a Cambodian source seems likely to be honest.
 

 

2 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Ok, apologies, when you said you saw it on social media in Cambodia I assumed it was a Cambodian social media feed.

However somebody deliberately photoshopped the dates, Thai or Cambodian. Not sure what anyone has to gain from doing that really.

Edit: Actually, it was posted by a Cambodian who has a history of posting fabricated stuff about Thailand. Whether he faked it himself or saw it elsewhere and reposted it I don't know........but a Cambodian source seems likely to be honest.
 

 

 

Thank you for your reply and apologies for any misunderstanding on my part. It certainly looks as if this person has gone to great lengths to fabricate fake news. Sadly there is so much of it thesedays. I do not subscribe to X so was not aware of the video clip above.