Severe flooding continues to impact large parts of Southern Thailand, prompting urgent action from national agencies as transport routes shut down and thousands of travellers face disruptions.
Tourists Stranded in Hat Yai as Emergency Command Centre Activated
Flash floods in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province have cut off access to dozens of hotels, leaving hundreds of tourists and travellers unable to leave their accommodation.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has launched an emergency response operation. Permanent Secretary Natthriya Thaweevong ordered all regional teams to support evacuations and coordinate relief.
Key emergency measures include:
- Deployment of rescue teams to flood-affected zones
- Coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture to supply heavy trucks and flat-bottom boats
- Delivery of drinking water, food, and essential items to isolated hotels
- Establishment of a Tourist Assistance Command Centre to manage urgent requests from hotels and travellers
Flooded roads have also disrupted access to Hat Yai Airport, causing delays and cancellations.
14 Rural Highways Closed Across the Deep South
The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has temporarily closed 14 major rural routes in five southern provinces due to dangerous water levels.
Affected Provinces & Closed Routes
Nakhon Si Thammarat: NS.3109, NS.3114, NS.4021
Phatthalung: PT.1014, PT.1015, PT.1042
Songkhla: SK.4013, SK.4040, SK.4037
Pattani: PN.2001
Trang: TG.019, TG.001, TG.015, TG.017
Officials are monitoring rising water levels and installing safety markers along submerged routes. Motorists are urged to avoid all flooded areas and follow official updates.
Flood Levels Rising Across 10 Southern Provinces
According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), flooding is now affecting 10 southern provinces, impacting approximately 1.47 million people.
Worst-hit provinces with rising water:
- Nakhon Si Thammarat – 194,000+ households
- Songkhla – 190,000+ households
- Phatthalung – 103,000+ households
Other affected provinces include: Surat Thani, Krabi, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.
Water levels remain high in most areas, except Surat Thani and Krabi, where floods are slowly receding.
Travel Impact Summary for Tourists
Air Travel
- Access to Hat Yai Airport is limited due to road flooding.
- Some southern domestic flights may face delays or cancellations.
Road Transport
- 14 rural routes closed; more may shut if water continues to rise.
- Bus and minivan services across the South face major disruptions.
Rail
- Flooding in Songkhla has already led to suspension of 10 southern train services (reported earlier this week).
Weather Outlook
Heavy rain continues today, but the Thai Meteorological Department forecasts improvement between Monday and Friday.
Advice for Travellers
- Avoid affected provinces if possible until conditions improve.
- Check transport status before travelling—especially flights, buses, and trains.
- Follow official alerts from DDPM, DRR, AOT, and local authorities.
- If staying in Hat Yai or nearby, contact your hotel for updates on access and supplies.