Many areas in Songkhla province, including the commercial hub of Hat Yai, have been flooded since yesterday, following days of torrential rain, prompting the suspension of weekend seminars and meetings.
Hat Yai municipality has declared a severe flood emergency and issued a ‘red flag’ evacuation order for 103 communities.
Authorities are urging residents to move to safe areas immediately, citing a three-day accumulated rainfall of 595mm, the highest in decades.
Continuous heavy rain since November 19 has caused widespread flooding across key areas of Hat Yai, including major roads such as Saeng Sri Road and the busy Kim Yong Market commercial district, where water levels continue to rise and vehicle movement has become nearly impossible.
At 8am today, a statement issued by Mayor Narongporn Na Phatthalung reported that three major water catchment areas, namely the Khlong U-takao, Khlong Pla and Khlong Rian, received extreme levels of rainwater, with the combined volume exceeding levels recorded during the devastating floods of 2000 and 2010.
These basins lack large canals through which to drain excess water, and Khlong Rian, designed to slow runoff before it enters the city, is now full and unable to hold additional water.
Officials have begun releasing water into the Mae Rian and Sam Sip Met canals, in an attempt to prevent structural failure of the retention system.
Based on current conditions, the municipality warns that all communities in the following zones face high flood risk:
· Zone 1: 28 communities
· Zone 2: 29 communities
· Zone 3: 25 communities
· Zone 4: 21 communities
A total of 103 communities are now under the ‘red-flag’ evacuation order.
Residents are urged to relocate, with their belongings, to safe shelters. Authorities also advise the public to monitor official updates closely.
The worsening floods have also forced the Thai Chamber of Commerce to cancel the 43rd National Chambers of Commerce Seminar, scheduled to be held at Prince of Songkla University. Chairman Poj Aramwattananont announced the cancellation, citing severe flooding in Songkhla province.
“Participants who have not yet left Bangkok should cancel their travel plans,” he said, noting that many hotels and key routes in Hat Yai are already under water.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas also canceled his planned field visit.
The Songkhla Chamber of Commerce suggests that, if floodwaters remain for 1–2 weeks, economic losses could reach 500 million baht, particularly from canceled hotel bookings, restaurant closures and other disruptions to tourism.
The seminar was scheduled to run from yesterday to tomorrow, but only the first day could be completed. More than 1,500 members nationwide had registered to attend one of the chamber’s largest annual events.
