Hat Yai, 25 November 2025 – Widespread flooding has pushed Hat Yai into “red zone” status just days before SEA Games 2025, raising major safety and logistical concerns for Vietnam’s delegations and other participating nations.
The natural disaster situation in southern Thailand has escalated sharply as Hat Yai — one of the major competition hubs for Vietnam’s sports teams at SEA Games 2025 — has been officially placed under “red zone” emergency status due to severe and widespread flooding. The alarming development comes at a critical time, with the regional multi-sport event scheduled to begin in just over a week.
According to the Songkhla provincial authorities, prolonged heavy rain influenced by a low-pressure trough and strong monsoon winds from November 19 to 23 has triggered extensive inundation across the region. At least 16 districts, 100 communes and 637 villages are submerged, affecting more than 465,000 residents. Hat Yai alone accounts for approximately 243,000 affected individuals — the highest number ever recorded in the area. The Khlong U-Taphao canal, the city’s main drainage channel, is nearing overflow levels and poses the risk of sudden flash flooding.
On November 23, Songkhla Governor Rattasart Chidchoo led an emergency meeting of the Provincial Command Center for Flood, Storm and Landslide Management to discuss immediate response measures. One day earlier, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inspected the hardest-hit zones and ordered a full-scale mobilization of rescue and relief operations.
Particularly concerning is the fact that numerous SEA Games 2025 venues fall within severely affected areas, including Hat Yai, Rattaphum and Na Mom — all currently under “very critical” alert. Additional districts such as Thepha, Na Thawi, Saba Yoi, Ranot, Krasae Sin and the Sathing Phra peninsula have also been placed under special monitoring due to worsening conditions.
Songkhla is the designated host for several sports at SEA Games 2025, including men’s football, chess, judo, wushu, karate and Muay Thai. The flooding raises significant concerns not only for resident safety but also for infrastructure readiness, travel logistics and event coordination.
With SEA Games 2025 set to begin in just over a week, the situation in Hat Yai and the surrounding districts remains highly unpredictable. Local authorities are working around the clock to stabilize conditions and protect residents.
To address the escalating emergency, the Thai government has rolled out a series of urgent measures. These include establishing a forward command centre in Hat Yai — overseen by a Deputy Governor — to coordinate rescue operations and manage evacuations; deploying military vehicles, disaster-response trucks, flat-bottom boats and various waterborne rescue equipment; evacuating stranded individuals from hotels and areas affected by power outages; installing more than 80 water pumps at 68 key locations to accelerate drainage; and preparing 20,000 daily food rations through the Songkhla Red Cross and the Provincial Administrative Organization to support flood-affected communities.
As floodwaters continue to rise, Thailand faces mounting pressure to ensure safety while simultaneously preparing venues and logistics for SEA Games 2025. The coming days will be decisive for both disaster response efforts and the regional sporting event’s readiness.
Thach Thanh
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