Due to four consecutive days of heavy rainfall, multiple districts in Songkhla Province, southern Thailand, have experienced flooding. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced the suspension of several train services, including the short-distance trains between Hat Yai and Malaysia’s Padang Besar, as well as the international express train service between Bangkok and Padang Besar.
The State Railway of Thailand issued a statement on Saturday (22nd) morning, revealing that due to flooding in southern Thailand, the tracks from Hat Yai heading south to Khlong Ngae have been submerged, resulting in the cancellation of Saturday’s International Express No. 46 from Padang Besar, Malaysia, to Krungthep Apiwat Central Station in Bangkok.
“The International Express No. 45, which departed from Krungthep Apiwat Central Station in Bangkok to Padang Besar, Malaysia, on Friday, was also forced to stop at Bang Kaeo District, Phatthalung Province, and arrangements were made to send passengers back to Bangkok.”
The bureau noted that another four express trains between Hat Yai and Padang Besar (Nos. 947/948 and 949/950) have been suspended from today until further notice.
It is known that Khlong Ngae is located about halfway between Sadao and Hat Yai in southern Thailand. The Khlong Ngae station is one of the stations that must be passed through when traveling between Padang Besar and Hat Yai.
In addition, SRT Deputy Director Anan revealed that the inundated section of rail has about 15 centimeters of water, between Hat Yai and Khlong Ngae.
He stated that preliminary forecasts show the water level will continue to rise, possibly causing further rail damage. As such, authorities have decided to suspend services on the affected routes for safety reasons.
Severe Floods in Eight Southern Provinces Affect More Than 360,000 People in 48 Districts
According to a statement from Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the recent heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in eight provinces in southern Thailand, with nearly 360,000 people in 48 districts affected so far.
Director-General Theerapat Kachamat of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said that the northeast monsoon has brought heavy rains to the south, and authorities are making every effort to deal with changing weather conditions.
The department has also issued emergency mobile phone alerts to residents of parts of Songkhla, Pattani, and Satun, warning that ongoing heavy rain may cause sudden flash floods, severe flooding, and landslides, urging residents to make evacuation preparations.