Hat Yai Floods Obstruct Return Trip; 40 UUM Students and Staff Stranded at Hotel

(Thailand, 23rd) Severe flooding struck Hat Yai in southern Thailand, causing 40 students and staff from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Sintok in northern Kedah, who were scheduled to return to Malaysia on Saturday (22nd), to be stranded at a hotel in Hat Yai. Among them, 36 are accounting students and 4 are accompanying lecturers.

This group of students and lecturers were participating in the "2025 Malaysia-Thailand Cultural Exchange Program."

This exchange program is held from November 17 to 30, and in addition to physical exchanges, also includes online interactions.

UUM students and lecturers traveled to Hat Yai to participate in this exchange program and were originally scheduled to return home on Saturday (November 22), but are now stranded at the hotel due to severe flooding in Hat Yai.

UUM Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Ahmad Madaha issued a statement saying that the primary consideration of UUM is the welfare and safety of all students and staff. The university is closely monitoring the situation and is maintaining close contact with the Malaysian Consulate in Hat Yai to ensure immediate assistance and support can be provided as needed.

He said that as of now, all participating students and accompanying lecturers are confirmed to be safe. The university is coordinating all necessary follow-up measures and, once the situation stabilizes, will ensure that the group's itinerary proceeds smoothly.

UUM calls on the families of the involved students and staff to remain calm and not to spread unverified information. The latest updates will be announced in due course.

He said that UUM is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff, especially in such unexpected situations.