Thailand: the flood crisis worsens in the south

More than 465,000 people are affected by severe flooding in southern Thailand, with several districts placed in the red zone.

Six provinces are now flooded over more than 228,000 rai (364.8 km2), as authorities step up rescue operations in the face of continued heavy rainfall.

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

Songkhla Province has declared Hat Yai and surrounding districts red zones and ordered urgent evacuations as heavy rains continue under the effect of a powerful barometric trough.

Critical information from emergency operations and satellite images reveals widespread impacts in at least six provinces in the south.

The crisis intensifies in Songkhla (updated November 23, 2025)

On November 23, 2025, at Songkhla City Hall, Governor Rattasart Chidchoo chaired a meeting of the Provincial Command Center for Disaster Operations.

The objective was to assess the rapid deterioration of the situation and launch urgent intervention measures.

Widespread impact: 19-23 November

The floods that hit Songkhla between 19 and 23 November affected:

• 16 districts
• 100 sub-districts
• 637 villages
• More than 465,000 people
• 235 people already evacuated

The most severely affected (very serious)

• Hat Yai
• Rattaphum
• Na Mom

Hat Yai has the largest number of affected residents (more than 243,000 people), with widespread flooding in urban areas and Khlong U-Taphao near the overflow level.

Districts under special surveillance

• Thepha
• Na Thawi
• Saba Yoi
• Ranot
• Krasae Sin
• Sathing Phra Peninsula

Emergency orders and urgent intervention measures

Following the instructions of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who inspected the flood-affected areas on 22 November, the governor ordered agencies to accelerate all operations:

1. Advanced Command Center in Hat Yai

An advanced command center was set up in Hat Yai, led by a deputy governor, to supervise evacuations and coordinate relief teams.

2. Deployment of vehicles and boats

The authorities have mobilized:

• Military trucks with high ground clearance
• Vehicles from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM)
• Flat-bottomed boats
• Additional boats requested from all government agencies

The priority targets for rescue operations are children, the elderly, the sick and all vulnerable groups.

3. Hotel Evacuation

Military units have been tasked with evacuating people stranded in hotels after a power outage in several flooded areas.

4. Large-scale Drainage

More than 80 water pumps have been installed at 68 locations to accelerate the drainage of communities in critical situations.

5. Daily Relief Distribution

The Songkhla Red Cross and the Provincial Administrative Organization prepare 20,000 meal boxes per day to be distributed in all affected districts.

The governor has ordered all agencies to maintain close coordination, respond immediately to all emergency calls, and prepare to launch compensation and reconstruction operations as soon as the waters recede.

GISTDA Satellite Analysis: 228,060 rai submerged in six southern provinces

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) has released satellite data analyzed from Radarsat-2 images dated November 22, 2025, revealing severe flooding in six provinces in southern Thailand.

Flooded Provinces

• Nakhon Si Thammarat
• Phatthalung
• Songkhla
• Trang
• Satun
• Surat Thani

Key Findings

• Total Flooded Area: 228,060 rai
• Water Depth: generally more than 1 meter, a level considered very concerning
• Types of affected areas:
  • Low-lying agricultural areas
  • Riparian communities
  • Main transportation routes, some of which are impassable

The GISTDA has already transmitted the processed images and flood mapping data to major national agencies to support emergency response, relief planning, and ongoing damage assessment.

Note: Flooded areas and water depths are estimates based on satellite data and have not yet been validated by on-site inspection.

Initial assessment of damage in Songkhla

• 1 house completely destroyed
• 3 houses partially damaged
• Several shops, schools and temples affected
• More than 4,000 rai of agricultural land damaged, including rice fields, field crops, orchards and fish ponds, especially in the following regions:
  • Rattaphum
  • Krasae Sin
  • Sathing Phra Peninsula

Weather forecast and trends

The Southeast Meteorological Center reports that a powerful trough will continue to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in the south of the country from November 23 to 25.

Although the trough is expected to move to the Andaman Sea after November 24, water levels in major canals remain high and require continuous monitoring.

Authorities continue to operate 24-hour monitoring teams in high-risk areas.

Notice to the public

Residents in high-risk areas, especially Hat Yai, Na Mom, Rattaphum and Ranot, are advised to closely follow official announcements to ensure maximum safety.

See also:

Weather alert in Thailand: cold in the north, heavy rain in the south

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

Thailand officially enters winter, its cold season

Source: The Nation Thailand