Amid rising costs from floods, Thailand faces imperative need for action

The Hat Yai district in Songkhla province, a key economic center in southern Thailand, is grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods—the worst seen in decades.

A large number of houses were submerged, with water rising to the roofs of single-storey houses. The combination of flash floods and the failure of the early warning system left many residents unable to evacuate in time, resulting in severe damage to property.

Cars, essential household items and even clothing were inundated for about five days.

As a renowned tourist destination, Hat Yai's local businesses—including hotels, restaurants, and related service and manufacturing sectors—have been significantly impacted.

Some families lost loved ones after being stranded for several days, as rescue efforts were hampered by high water levels, strong currents and inadequate government preparedness.

Currently, Hat Yai is clearing vast heaps of debris, including damaged furniture and household items, as well as mud from residential and commercial properties.

Economic toll and microeconomic losses

The Kasikorn Research Center estimates the economic damage from this year’s floods in Southern Thailand, including Hat Yai, at up to 25 billion baht. Manufacturing, services and agricultural sectors are all seriously affected.

Beyond these direct costs, there are substantial microeconomic losses not reflected in national accounts but felt deeply by households. According to Kasikorn Research, families will have to bear the burden of repairing homes, replacing damaged electrical appliances such as refrigerators, fans, washing machines, TVs, air-conditioners and kitchenware.

Severe floods also have disrupted business activities, resulting in significant opportunity costs. Self-employed workers and people in informal sectors—such as mom-and-pop store owners, taxi drivers, motorcycle-taxi drivers, and food delivery riders—lose vital income during such disasters.

Transportation and food costs rise as local infrastructure remains non-functional, and residents face increased prices. Moreover, many will suffer both physical and mental health issues, with families shouldering the cost of medical care, Kasikorn Research states.

Delayed response

Torrential rains from November 19-21 battered Hat Yai, causing severe flooding from November 21-25. Local authorities underestimated the severity, believing the initial flooding could be managed. By the time evacuation orders were issued, it was already too late.

Climate change is cited as a driving factor behind increasingly severe weather, affecting not only Thailand but also neighboring countries. The Thai Meteorological Department faced criticism for failing to provide crucial weather forecasts to the public, while the Anutin Charnvirakul administration was sharply criticized for its slow rescue efforts, which exacerbated the crisis.

Dire consequences of global warming

Climate change threatens Thailand and the region with more frequent and intense natural disasters, including floods, droughts, heatwaves, storms and wildfires. Thailand is ranked among the top 10 countries most at risk of severe flooding globally.

According to the Climate Risk Country Profile compiled by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, the report highlights several key warning signs, summarized as follows:

● Observations show temperature increases across Thailand since the mid-20th century, along with rising annual precipitation, especially during the wet season.

● By the 2090s, average temperatures are projected to increase by 0.95 degrees Celsius to 3.23°C, above the 1986–2005 baseline, depending on emission trajectories.

● The most pronounced warming is expected in the southern region, with increases in daily maximum and minimum temperatures.

● Floods are the greatest natural hazard facing Thailand in terms of economic and human impacts. The country is one of the 10 most flood-affected in the world. Droughts and cyclones also pose major risks, all of which may intensify in future scenarios.

● The number of people affected by extreme river floods could grow by over 2 million by 2035–2044, and coastal flooding may impact an additional 2.4 million by 2070–2100.

● Thailand’s agriculture sector is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its tropical location, with productivity at risk from rising temperatures.

● Bangkok faces a precarious future due to rising seas, sinking land and potential cyclone-induced storm surges, threatening critical infrastructure.

● The aftermath of the 2011 floods showed that poorer communities in Thailand were more adversely affected, with higher-income groups receiving more government compensation.

● The human impact of climate change will depend on the country’s approach to adaptation, but the poorest and marginalized groups are at greatest risk of loss and damage.

How to respond

The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has identified three key reasons for the country’s recurring flood disasters, highlighting systemic shortcomings that need urgent attention:

1. Centralized yet fragmented water management: Water resource management lacks integration among responsible agencies, with each acting independently and focusing only on its own area. There is a need for holistic, sustainable watershed planning.

2. Insufficient prevention and preparedness: Thailand’s public warning system is outdated and lacks effective communication, resulting in lost time for evacuation and damage prevention.

3. Lack of investment in disaster risk reduction: Despite the high returns from investing in early warning systems, the government prioritizes post-disaster remedies over prevention. Investing in forecasting technology and warning systems is crucial for reducing disaster risks.

Guidelines for improving flood management in Hat Yai

Team Consulting Engineering and Management (Team Group) has made several recommendations to address future floods in Hat Yai.

Following the 2025 Hat Yai flood, Team Group CEO Chawalit Chantararat, a water management expert, outlined essential improvements to strengthen flood management and reduce future risks. The recommendations focus on two main areas: upgrading infrastructure and enhancing disaster preparedness.

1. Infrastructure upgrade

Dredge drainage pipes, basins, and canals to restore water flow.

Add and expand drainage systems in flood-prone areas.

Widen waterways, upgrade bridges and embankments, and enhance culverts and road crossings.

Create and enforce flood-risk zone maps with strict zoning regulations.

Build additional pumping stations and gates for rapid drainage, especially during high tide.

Expand diversion canals and tunnels to efficiently move floodwater towards Songkhla Lake, while minimizing the ecological impact.

2. Disaster preparedness

Develop clear pre-flood plans, prepare emergency equipment, evacuation centers and backup communications.

Establish a central command center in a safe location, equipped for emergency coordination and rapid response.

Deploy early warning systems and real-time dashboards for risk zones, including annual evacuation drills.

Construct permanent and temporary evacuation centers for vulnerable groups, equipped with essential supplies.

Register and support residents in high-risk zones with survival kits and regular drills.

Maintain and modernize systems using global best practices, adapting for local needs.

These targeted actions are expected to help make Hat Yai more resilient to future floods, emphasizing proactive infrastructure improvements and strong disaster management systems.