Hat Yai Flood Recovery Gains Momentum as Crisis Centre Coordinates Efforts
Following devastating floods, the Emergency Flood crisis Operations Centre (EFCOC) is spearheading rehabilitation efforts in Hat Yai, with a key focus on accelerating victim identification and providing comprehensive support to affected residents and businesses. The Public Health Ministry has been specifically assigned the task of continuously updating the official death toll as identification procedures are completed and remains are returned to relatives.
The EFCOC is coordinating across multiple agencies to address immediate needs and long-term recovery. The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) has mobilized 80-90 tow trucks to remove insured vehicles, which will be temporarily stored at the songkhla Land Transport Office and Hat Yai Land Transport Office. An online database is being developed to allow vehicle owners to track their vehicles and monitor the progress of their insurance claims. Local agencies have been directed to ensure sufficient capacity on hotlines to handle inquiries regarding vehicle locations and available repair stations.
Transport of essential supplies is being facilitated by the Land Transport Department, which is moving donations from the Air Force Museum in Don mueang to Hat Yai. Recognizing the importance of community cooperation,authorities are engaging with residents of Khet Paed (Zone 8) following reports of resistance to rescuers and volunteers.
Damage assessments are underway,led by local authorities and coordinated by the Public Works and Town & Country Planning Department. Simultaneously, the Labor Skill Development Department has deployed technicians to offer free repairs of motorcycles, agricultural machinery, electrical appliances, and household electrical systems at several service points: Wat Koh Sua, Siam Battery Hat Yai Co Ltd, Saeng Thong Witthaya school, Hat Yai Witthaya Somboon Kulkanya School, and Hat Yai Municipality. Technical students from the office of Vocational Education are also assisting with repair efforts.
Significant progress is being made in restoring essential services.The Livestock Development Department has already disposed of 200 cow and goat carcasses, 25 pigs, and 25 othre animals, with full disposal anticipated within days. The Southern Waterworks Authority has restored tap water to 45% of hat Yai, including Hat Yai Hospital and Kim Yong Market, and expects full restoration within five days. Electricity has been restored to 85-86% of users, leaving approximately 23,500 households without power, though business districts are nearing 100% recovery, with full restoration expected within two days.
Further support is arriving via the Royal Thai Navy, which will dispatch HTMS Angthong to Hat Yai at 8am on Monday to deliver donated supplies. The National Broadcasting and telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has deployed satellite-based internet to areas experiencing connectivity outages, with full internet restoration planned to follow complete power recovery.
The Social Security Office (SSO) is addressing employment concerns, reporting that 500,000 employers have indicated a willingness to hire social security members who lost their jobs due to the floods. seven banks are offering soft loans totaling 15 million, 30 million, and 50 million baht to support employers in hiring displaced workers.
To expedite compensation payments, the EFCOC will utilize the Thang Rath app to verify flood victims, enabling the Department of Provincial Administration to process payments more efficiently, as stated by Siripong.
