Floodwaters are subsiding in southern Thailand as deaths exceed 80

More than 80 people have lost their lives as devastating floods swept through southern Thailand, affecting over 3 million residents across 12 provinces, officials reported Thursday.

The flooding, which began last weekend following torrential monsoon rains, has started to recede in most areas, though water levels remain dangerously high in provinces including Pattani and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat announced during a Bangkok press conference that Songkhla province alone recorded 55 deaths, a dramatic increase from the six previously reported. The death toll across seven affected provinces has now reached at least 82 victims.

“We expect water levels to drop below river banks in all affected areas by this evening,” Siripong stated, offering a glimmer of hope to residents who have endured nearly a week of crisis conditions.

The catastrophe prompted Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to declare a state of emergency earlier this week in Songkhla province, home to Hat Yai, southern Thailand’s largest urban center. The prime minister cited the “unprecedented severity” of the disaster in his declaration, mobilizing additional government resources to the region.

In Hat Yai, receding waters have revealed extensive damage throughout the city. The flooding paralyzed infrastructure, leaving thousands of residents stranded in their homes. Crucial utilities including electricity and water supplies were cut off, while communication networks failed across much of the affected region, hampering rescue efforts.

Thailand’s southern provinces typically experience heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, but meteorological experts note this year’s precipitation has been exceptionally intense. The disaster highlights the increasing vulnerability of Thailand’s coastal regions to extreme weather events, which climate scientists have linked to warming global temperatures.

The healthcare system has been severely strained by the crisis. The Public Health Ministry reported that Hat Yai Hospital, the region’s main medical facility, remains unable to operate at full capacity despite emergency measures. Eight field hospitals have been established to supplement medical care, while authorities airlifted 20 critically ill patients to facilities outside the disaster zone on Thursday.

Relief workers also delivered additional food supplies to medical staff and patients who remained at the partially functioning hospital.

The economic impact on Thailand’s south, an important region for rubber production and tourism, is expected to be substantial. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is currently assessing damage to agriculture, infrastructure, and businesses in preparation for recovery efforts.

Thailand’s military has deployed personnel and equipment to assist in rescue operations, with helicopters delivering supplies to isolated communities where road access remains impossible. Neighboring Malaysia has also offered assistance to Thai authorities, particularly in border areas where flooding has affected both countries.

The Thai Meteorological Department has warned that while the immediate crisis appears to be easing, the ongoing monsoon season could bring additional rainfall to already saturated areas in the coming weeks.

As the floodwaters recede, local authorities are preparing for the complex recovery phase, which will include clearing debris, restoring utilities, and preventing potential disease outbreaks in standing water.

The current flooding represents one of Thailand’s most severe natural disasters since the 2011 floods that affected much of the country, including parts of Bangkok, and caused estimated economic damages of $46 billion.