BANGKOK, Thailand – The Emergency Flood Crisis Operations Center reported Wednesday (Nov 26) that relief operations in Hat Yai district are accelerating as flooding continues to affect large parts of Songkhla province. Prime Minister’s Office Minister Paradorn Prissananantakul, who directs the center, delivered the daily briefing with senior officials and confirmed that all available government resources are now being deployed to assist the hardest-hit communities.
Hat Yai has been divided into four emergency-response sectors, with one overseen by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and three operated by the Royal Thai Army. The efforts are supported by the Royal Thai Navy, Royal Thai Air Force, and Royal Thai Police, forming an operational network tasked with reaching inundated areas as quickly as possible.
Nine evacuation centers are currently open across Hat Yai Municipality. Prince of Songkla University, which prepared space for 3,000 evacuees, is now sheltering more than 5,000 people. Eight additional centers—including temples, municipal buildings, and child development facilities—are hosting over 8,000 displaced residents, with several locations exceeding their intended capacity as water levels remain high.
A total of 3,091 personnel are deployed in the field, supported by 85 boats, 12 helicopters, five C-130 aircraft, 81 jet skis, and a range of medical, communication, and utility equipment. More than 40,000 requests for assistance have been registered, involving 77,000 people. About 3,000 cases have been classified as the most urgent. Drones are being used to locate stranded individuals, and three C-130 flights are scheduled for tomorrow morning to support additional airlift needs.
Relief and lifesaving operations remain the top priority for the operations center. Economic recovery planning will follow, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas set to chair a meeting at the Ministry of Finance today (Nov 27) to discuss financial support for flood-affected communities across the southern provinces. (NNT)
