The situation in the Hatyai floods has eased as the water has receded, but Hatyai city was devastated by the massive flood, and those who were trapped can finally go out to seek supplies and assistance. A Democrat Party MP in Thailand described the current scene in Hatyai as "like the end of the world."
According to Thai media "Thai PBS World," several temporary shelter centers in the affected Songkhla province are overcrowded, housing many flood victims whose homes and property were destroyed by the waters.
Thai Democrat Party MP Saksit Khaothong posted illustrated accounts on Facebook on Thursday (27th), stating, "Hatyai today looks like the end of the world."
"People are scrambling for food on the streets, evacuation centers are chaotic, the bodies of the deceased are floating and can only be placed by the roadside, while the cries of grief never cease throughout the night."
"The loss this time is unforgettable. Those who survived, it is as if they are worse off than dead."
Many interviewed residents said they were trapped at home for several days without food and water, and complained that the authorities never came to assist them.
The Ministry of Public Health has set up seven field hospitals with 50 beds each. One of them is in Prince of Songkla University (PSU), to be managed directly by the Medical Services Department.
Officials anticipate all field hospitals will be fully operational by the end of today.
Flu vaccines and other necessary medical supplies will also be sent to the affected areas to meet the medical needs of residents after the floods.
Additionally, mobile emergency response teams (MERT and Mini MERT) have been dispatched to reachable areas to assess the situation, provide treatment, distribute medicines, and help evacuate patients.
Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Teams (MCATT) have also been sent by the Department of Mental Health to assist affected residents.
According to videos circulating on social media, Hatyai city is in ruins after the disaster, streets and houses are covered in muddy yellow silt, piles of garbage are everywhere, many cars and motorcycles have overturned or been stranded by the roadside, and some cars have been washed into drains. Some vehicles were even swept together by the strong currents, piling up to form a "mountain" of cars.
As the floods in Hatyai ease, trapped residents and tourists have been rescued, and tourists have been safely sent back to their home countries. However, the post-flood clean-up and rebuilding of Hatyai is only just beginning and is expected to take several months.
In addition, according to "The Nation Thailand," the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) estimates that the floods in seven southern provinces are causing enormous economic damage, especially to Hatyai—an SME hub with hundreds of thousands of small businesses.
OSMEP Deputy Director Wittawat Lamsam said that in Hatyai alone, SME losses are approximately 1.5 billion baht (about 190 million ringgit) every day. If the situation lasts for a month, the total loss could reach 10–15 billion baht (1.28 billion to 1.92 billion ringgit), plunging SMEs into a severe crisis—no income, rising costs, and many may not survive.
In the seven affected provinces, more than 200,000 SMEs have suffered, mainly retailers, shop owners, and those with large inventories. These businesses are now facing dual challenges of operational difficulties and inventory losses.
