Severe flooding has battered southern Thailand, leaving at least 145 people dead as of November 28, 2025, and triggering massive rescue and recovery operations. The flooding, caused by prolonged heavy rains, has exposed widespread destruction as waters begin to recede. The hardest hit is Songkhla province, especially its city Hat Yai but the damage spans multiple provinces, affecting millions.
What Happened The Flood That Overwhelmed the South
Southern Thailand has faced relentless downpours over the past several days, causing rivers to overflow and low-lying areas to submerge. One of the worst-hit areas, Hat Yai, recorded unusually heavy rainfall that overwhelmed drainage systems leaving entire streets, homes, and vehicles under water.
As floodwaters covered large swathes of land, many communities were cut off. Roads turned into rivers and vehicles floated or were overturned. As waters begin to recede, the full scale of destruction is slowly coming into view: debris, damaged infrastructure, ruined homes, and stranded people now emerge when the floodwater retreats.
The Toll Lives Lost and People Displaced
According to officials, as of November 28, 145 fatalities have been confirmed across the southern provinces. Songkhla alone accounted for 110 deaths. Other affected provinces include Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
Behind the numbers lays a deeper story: over 1.2 million households and roughly 3.6 million people have been affected across 12 provinces. Entire neighborhoods are submerged, and thousands are now displaced.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| 📍 Province | ⚠️ Reported Fatalities* |
|---|---|
| Songkhla | ~110 |
| Nakhon Si Thammarat | Several (part of total 145) |
| Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat | Remaining from overall count |
*Numbers from official statements as of November 28. Some provinces aggregated under “others.”
Ongoing Rescue & Relief What’s Being Done Now
As floodwaters recede, rescue and recovery efforts have stepped up significantly. Emergency teams responded to nearly 1,934 help requests; out of them, 1,734 about 89% were already evacuated.
Over 14,000 people are currently staying in temporary shelters, which still have capacity for many more. Relief efforts include massive food distribution more than 90,000 meals a day are being prepared and distributed to shelter residents and stranded communities. Two relief vehicles have been dispatched to ensure remote or hard-to-reach areas receive aid.
Authorities are also coordinating with police, forensic teams, and local health officials to properly document fatalities and provide assistance. Efforts are underway to restore essential services like electricity and clean water, as well as to start rehabilitation and cleanup.
Why It Matters A Warning for Similar Regions
This disaster highlights just how vulnerable low-lying, densely populated coastal and riverine areas are when extreme weather hits. Rapid rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems, and once floodwaters submerged neighborhoods, escape and rescue became extremely difficult.
For communities across Southeast Asia many with similar geography this serves as a stark reminder: climate-related disasters can strike fast and hard. Proper urban planning, early warning systems, and resilient infrastructure are essential to reduce such catastrophic losses in the future.
Conclusion
The southern Thailand floods have plunged entire communities into tragedy: hundreds dead, millions displaced, and widespread devastation. Yet amid the chaos, rescue teams, volunteers, and relief agencies are racing against time evacuating people, distributing food, and clearing debris. As the waters recede, what emerges is a wounded region, but also an opportunity: to rebuild smarter, and to learn how to prepare better. This flood should serve as a wake-up call for officials, citizens, and every region prone to extreme weather.