HAT YAI, THAILAND – After floodwaters receded, the area around Hat Yai’s well-known Kim Yong Market revealed extensive destruction and a city center struggling to recover.
Market district left buried in mud
Residents and shop owners spent Friday clearing damaged goods from their stores and attempting basic cleanup. Many called for urgent support from the authorities, especially the provision of water for cleaning and the rapid restoration of electricity. The area around Kim Yong Market had previously been submerged under several meters of water, severely damaging electrical systems and forcing a continued power shutdown that slowed recovery efforts.
Health concerns and blocked access roads
As water levels dropped, new health risks became apparent, with thick layers of mud, waste and debris left in the streets and increasingly strong odors developing. The accumulated mixture of rubbish made it harder to clean the surrounding area. Access roads around the market remained difficult to pass, as mud and debris continued to obstruct traffic and delayed entry for emergency crews and waste collection services.
Businesses warn of severe economic impact
Local traders warned that the ongoing closure of Kim Yong Market, one of Hat Yai’s most important commercial hubs, was severely affecting the local economy. They urged authorities to speed up repairs to utility lines and the removal of waste to allow business activity to resume.
All districts in Songkhla hit by floods
The deputy governor Sangkom Koetkor confirmed that all 16 districts of Songkhla province had been affected by the floods, with Hat Yai suffering the heaviest damage. He said rainfall had eased and that Tropical Storm Kaito was not expected to hit the province directly, allowing water levels to keep falling. Authorities met to review relief measures, including assistance for displaced families and support for property damage and lost livelihoods.
High-level coordination on compensation
Later, Sangkom attended a meeting at the Flood Response Command Center, led by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. There, representatives of various agencies discussed additional compensation for deaths linked to the disaster.
Utilities restored only where safe
Emergency teams from utility companies were instructed to inspect affected areas and restore power and water only where it was considered safe. The province prepared quarter-level information so residents could learn when they would be able to return to their homes. At the same time, authorities asked the public to keep rescue routes clear of parked vehicles so relief transports would not be blocked.
Urgent need for basic supplies
Among the most urgently needed items were diapers and infant formula, women’s hygiene products, and simple cleaning tools such as brooms and scrub brushes.
Response coordinated via military command center
The deputy governor stressed that state agencies had been operating since the first day of the crisis.
“Government agencies have been in action since day one of the crisis, with coordination running through the command center in the 42nd Military District, which brings together relief and rescue operations.”
said Sangkom Koetkor, deputy governor.
He appealed to residents to follow official instructions so aid teams could work with as few obstacles as possible in the affected areas.
“The unity of the people and cooperation with the authorities are crucial to advancing the reconstruction of Hat Yai.”
said Sangkom, deputy governor.