Situation Report: The Worst Deluge in Decades
Hat Yai, the commercial heart of southern Thailand, has been declared a disaster zone following what officials are calling the most severe rainfall in over 300 years. As of late November 2025, the city is grappling with critical flooding that has paralyzed infrastructure, displaced thousands, and left tourists stranded.
Current Status:
Critical Water Levels: Heavy monsoon rains have caused the U-Taphao Canal and tributaries to overflow, sending flash floods into the city center. Water levels in some areas have reached 2–3 meters, submerging the first floors of homes and businesses.
Disaster Zone Declaration: All 16 districts of Songkhla province, including Hat Yai, have been declared red-zone disaster areas.
Human Impact: At least 13 fatalities have been reported across the southern region. Thousands of residents are trapped in their homes, while over 1,000 tourists remain stranded in hotels.
Infrastructure Collapse: The Hat Yai Nai Bridge faces critical water levels. Power outages are widespread to prevent electrocution, and communication networks are intermittent. Hospitals are running on backup generators and facing shortages of oxygen and medical supplies.
Official Response: The Royal Thai Army and Navy have mobilized aircraft carriers, helicopters, and flat-bottom boats to lead evacuation and relief efforts. Emergency shelters have been established at Prince of Songkla University and Songkhla Rajabhat University.
Safety & Travel Advisories
International embassies and local authorities have issued urgent warnings for travelers in the region:
Avoid Travel: The UK Foreign Office (FCDO), US Embassy, and Australian Government (Smartraveller) advise against all but essential travel to Songkhla and surrounding southern provinces due to flooding and potential unrest.
Transport Disruptions: Hat Yai International Airport remains operational, but road access to it is severely cut off. Train services to the south have been suspended or terminated early.
Airline Policies: Thai Lion Air and Thai Airways are offering fee waivers for flight changes or credit retention for passengers traveling to/from Hat Yai between Nov 22–30, 2025.
How to Extend Help to the Victims
If you are looking to support the relief efforts, here are the most effective and verified ways to help.
1. Financial Donations (Verified Channels)
Cash donations are currently the most flexible way to help aid organizations purchase food, boats, and medical supplies locally.
The Thai Red Cross Society
Purpose: General disaster relief, medical teams, and survival kits.
Action: Donate directly via their website donationhub.or.th or bank transfer to their official emergency relief accounts.
The Mirror Foundation (Munithi Krajok Ngao)
Purpose: A highly active NGO managing a disaster fund for flood recovery.
Bank: Siam Commercial Bank (SCB)
Account Name: Disaster Fund by Mirror Foundation
Account Number: 202-258-2983
Prince of Songkla University (PSU)
Purpose: Supporting the thousands of evacuees currently sheltering on their campus.
Action: Check the university’s official Facebook page or website for their specific flood relief donation account.
2. Digital Volunteering & Coordination
Jitasa.Care: This is a location-based platform being used by rescue teams.
How to help: If you are in the area or have contact with trapped victims, you can use Jitasa.Care to pin locations of those needing help, specify the number of people (bedridden, elderly, children), and their urgent needs. This helps rescue teams prioritize effectively.
Matchima Rescue Centre:
Action: This local volunteer group is on the front lines. Their Facebook page is a central hub for SOS calls. You can help by amplifying verified calls for help to relevant authorities if you are monitoring social media, or looking for their specific calls for supplies (life vests, dry food).
3. Emergency Contacts
If you know someone in Hat Yai who needs immediate rescue:
Disaster Hotline: 1784 (24 hours)
Hat Yai Municipality Emergency: 098-223-3364 / 061-586-5574
Tourist Police: 1155
A Call to Action
The people of Hat Yai are resilient, but the scale of this disaster requires national and international solidarity. Whether by donating to the Red Cross, sharing verified information from Jitasa.Care, or simply deferring travel plans to reduce the burden on local infrastructure, every action counts.