The terrible floods in southern Thailand are hitting tourism

The worst floods in over a decade are hitting southern Thailand, stranding thousands of travelers.

See: Thailand: the flood crisis is worsening in the south

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Songkhla's tourism revenue is expected to drop by at least 8.5% this month as the province faces flooding of an exceptional scale.

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said:

“The number of Malaysian tourists in the province could drop by 18% in December if the flooding lasts more than a week.”

Persistent rain since November 19 has caused flooding in 10 southern provinces, with the worst affecting Songkhla and its main city, Hat Yai.

Tourism in free fall in southern provinces

Tourists are moving through a flooded area in Hat Yai on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Of the 10 provinces, six have suffered moderate damage, with waters stable or receding and roads partially accessible.

These include Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Satun, Krabi, Surat Thani, and Trang, but authorities must continue to closely monitor the situation in these regions.

Four provinces - Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat - have been severely affected, with water levels exceeding 1 meter, even 2 meters or more in some areas.

The TAT has opened a crisis center for communication and coordination of tourist assistance at its Bangkok headquarters.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is revising its forecasts downward

Aerial view of flooding in southern Thailand in November 2025. Photo: Thai PBS World

The flooding has prompted the agency to revise its forecasts for Songkhla for the last two months of the year.

Local trips in November are expected to reach 243,150, a decrease of 6.9% compared to the previous year, with an 8.5% decrease in revenue, which would amount to 1.9 billion baht.

According to Mrs. Thapanee, the ripple effect would also cause a 1.8% decrease in revenue for the rest of the south, which would then reach 16 billion baht.

In December, local travel is expected to decline by another 2% to 306,400, generating 2.4 billion baht, a 4% drop from the previous year.

The south as a whole could see its revenue drop by 1.6% to 17.6 billion baht.

If the flooding subsides within a week and conditions return to normal at the beginning of December, the total number of Malaysian visitors this year is expected to reach 4.6 million, a 7% drop from 2024.

However, if the impact lasts more than a week and recovery takes longer, Malaysian arrivals could drop by 8% to 4.55 million compared to 2024.

The decline could reach 18% if the damage is as severe as that caused by the major flooding in Songkhla in 2000, said Mrs. Thapanee.

This will not help matters, as the number of foreign tourists arriving in Thailand between January 1 and November 23, 2025, has dropped by 7.18% compared to the same period last year.

Malaysia was the main source market with 4.13 million visitors, followed by China with 4.02 million.

Thousands of tourists stranded in Hat Yai

Flooding in southern Thailand on November 22, 2025. Photo: PSU Broadcast

On Sunday, around 8,000 local and foreign tourists were stranded in hotels and at Hat Yai airport, including 7,300 foreigners, 90% of whom were from Malaysia and the rest from Singapore and Indonesia, she said.

See: Flooding in Thailand: transport suspended, tourists stranded in the south

Hat Yai airport also reported that around 600 passengers were still in the terminal, while all hotels in the affected areas will remain closed until the situation improves.

November usually marks the beginning of the sea of mist season in the sub-district of Aiyoeweng in the district of Betong, Yala.

The thick morning fog forms a vast expanse of mist that resembles a sea, visible from the Skywalk bridge of Aiyerweng.

However, the current situation has prompted tourists to turn to other destinations, said Mrs. Thapanee.

Among the events that need to be postponed this month are the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Central Hat Yai shopping center and Thai Fight Phatthalung, a promotional event for Muay Thai, Thai boxing.

See also:

Weather in Thailand: Climate, Seasons and 7-Day Forecast

Source: Bangkok Post 1 , Bangkok Post 2