Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

Flooding in Hat Yai last month has sadly claimed the lives of over 100 people and unveiled critical shortcomings in Thailand’s disaster management system. Experts warn that unless immediate improvements are made, such preventable disasters will continue to plague the country. The Public Health Ministry reports 145 fatalities, with the number climbing as waters start receding.

 

A devastating monsoon cyclone hit Hat Yai, Songkhla, on November 21, inundating the area with over 1,000 millimetres of rain in just five days. Satellite images by November 25 showed 84,000 rai submerged, with water levels reaching five metres in places. Conflicting messages from officials during the crisis led to confusion, with many residents staying put based on assurances from Hat Yai’s Mayor, Narongporn Na Phatthalung, who apologised for underestimating the situation.

 

Experts, including Assoc Prof Seree Supratid of Rangsit University, argue that timely evacuation orders could have mitigated the disaster’s impact. He criticised the lack of resources like boats and personnel to assist in evacuation efforts. The local government’s delayed response, highlighted by a silent Facebook page while flood levels rose, further exacerbated the situation.

 

Water resources engineering expert Asst Prof Sitang Pilailar noted that while excessive rain played a role, delays and mismanagement were more significant issues. She criticised the Thai Meteorological Department for inaccurate forecasts and the Office of National Water Resources for inadequate flood risk management policies. The confusion in command structures during the crisis hindered effective response and coordination.

 

Going forward, a more robust and efficient warning system is crucial to prevent similar disasters. Seree emphasises the importance of training local officials in data interpretation and establishing detailed evacuation plans. Urban planning improvements, such as expanding drainage capacities and creating water retention areas, are also vital to mitigate future flood risks. The need for a clear and centralised command in crisis cases is starkly evident from this incident, reported Thai PBS World.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Over 145 fatalities reported, with more expected as water recedes.
• Mismanagement and lack of preparedness criticised by experts.
• Calls for improved disaster response systems and infrastructure enhancements.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS World 2025-12-04

 

 

 

And do you think ANYTHING will Happen !!!   its all smoke and mirrors   

5 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

And do you think ANYTHING will Happen !!!   its all smoke and mirrors   

 

Yes it will.

I actually have a degree of faith in Hat Yai's ability to get things sorted, in general it's a reasonably well managed city. So yes, I do expect to see improvements to flood defences, in water management, and the flood alert system. Hopefully, the TMD will also learn lessons; though of the TMD I'm less sanguine.

28 minutes ago, Stocky said:

 

Yes it will.

I actually have a degree of faith in Hat Yai's ability to get things sorted, in general it's a reasonably well managed city. So yes, I do expect to see improvements to flood defences, in water management, and the flood alert system. Hopefully, the TMD will also learn lessons; though of the TMD I'm less sanguine.

Newbie to Thailand !!! Nothing has changed in the last 20yrs i have been here Oh no thats not true !! Thailand has become more corrupt  all i can say is dream on 

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

Newbie to Thailand !!! Nothing has changed in the last 20yrs i have been here Oh no thats not true !! Thailand has become more corrupt  all i can say is dream on 

I've known Thailand over 30 years, and Hat Yai has been home for 22 years. A lot has changed here in that time and most for the better. Clearly your experience in whatever place you live has been rather different, I'm sorry for you.

We all know that Thailand is constantly behind the facts, now with floodings, which occur every year but this year they were worse in the South, look at the air pollution as a second example and traffic deaths as a 3rd... and may more.. but the attitude in Thailand is "mai pen rai" and after a few weeks/months it is business as usual, as nobody want to spend money or be responsible for anything..   Especially the very conservative Government, that only thinks about their own wellbeing should be blamed year after year for negligence of duty

18 minutes ago, Stocky said:

I've known Thailand over 30 years, and Hat Yai has been home for 22 years. A lot has changed here in that time and most for the better. Clearly your experience in whatever place you live has been rather different, I'm sorry for you.

You seem to live in another world !! you need to take off your rose colored glasses and look at the real Thailand  read ikke1959 post !! very astute  post and down to reality 

42 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

You seem to live in another world !! you need to take off your rose colored glasses and look at the real Thailand  read ikke1959 post !! very astute  post and down to reality 

You should possibly try being less of a miserable old sod.

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

We all know that Thailand is constantly behind the facts, now with floodings, which occur every year but this year they were worse in the South, look at the air pollution as a second example and traffic deaths as a 3rd... and may more.. but the attitude in Thailand is "mai pen rai" and after a few weeks/months it is business as usual, as nobody want to spend money or be responsible for anything..   Especially the very conservative Government, that only thinks about their own wellbeing should be blamed year after year for negligence of duty

Yes, Thailand is badly served by its national government, but I was referring to the management of the Hat Yai municipality, which isn't that bad.

37 minutes ago, Stocky said:

Yes, Thailand is badly served by its national government, but I was referring to the management of the Hat Yai municipality, which isn't that bad.

You are joking i assume,   The Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration has announced the removal of the Hat Yai District Chief, Eak Young-Apai Na Songkhla,    is it because he was doing a Good job !!!

 

They are all on the Take from the street cleaner to the Top man  Hat yai is no different its all corrupt  why do you think they take the job its not for the wages nor service to the community  its for the chance to get there nose in the trough and make real money  Take your glasses off   

3 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

You are joking i assume

Actually I'm not. I can only speak from my experience living in Hat Yai, I'm not claiming it's a Utopia, but I dispute your original statement

 

"And do you think ANYTHING will Happen !!!   its all smoke and mirrors" 

 

I think things will happen, and the necessary improvements will be made. Again my reference is to the governance of the Municipality, not the Government nor the government appointed Provincial Governor and his cabinet.

 

 

 

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2 hours ago, Stocky said:

Actually I'm not. I can only speak from my experience living in Hat Yai, I'm not claiming it's a Utopia, but I dispute your original statement

 

"And do you think ANYTHING will Happen !!!   its all smoke and mirrors" 

 

I think things will happen, and the necessary improvements will be made. Again my reference is to the governance of the Municipality, not the Government nor the government appointed Provincial Governor and his cabinet.

 

 

Well all i can say live in your dream land !!    

 

 

 

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Some off topic bickering posts and replies have been removed.