【Southern Thailand Floods】Thank You, Rest Well! 13 Volunteer Firefighter Teams Rescue Over a Thousand Malaysians

When the floods mercilessly besieged Hat Yai in Southern Thailand, 45 volunteer firefighters from 13 teams across Malaysia, with their unwavering love and selfless dedication, opened up a warm path home for stranded Malaysians.

​With the strong support of NGOs, Malaysian and Thai kind-hearted individuals, the 45 volunteer firefighters braved five days and nights of difficult rescue operations and ultimately rescued over 1536 stranded Malaysians from the flood. That’s 1536 families reunited, 1536 hopes for life!

The soul of the rescue mission, as well as chairman of Sungai Petani Volunteer Firefighter Association, Leong Mingda, announced that the rescue team officially ended their operation at 7pm on Thursday the 27th (6pm local Thai time), bringing the cross-border rescue mission to a successful close.

He stated that although there are still a very small number of Malaysians stranded, certain areas were restricted by the Thai military due to safety concerns, so the rescue team had no choice but to end the mission.

Nevertheless, their hearts remain with the victims. Leong Mingda promised that if they receive any new calls for help, they will immediately pass them on to the Thai military and police, ensuring that this love and care continues to be passed on.

​“If you encounter a volunteer firefighter team, please salute them and give them your greatest support and encouragement.”

​He said these heroes are all volunteers, temporarily setting aside their own jobs, sacrificing precious time with their families, and even coming at their own expense to participate in this difficult rescue. This dedication, born out of a desire to save lives, is truly rare and remarkable!

During his Facebook livestream, Leong Mingda showed the team’s most genuine moments: some team members had their hands cut, others collapsed to the ground from exhaustion after fighting non-stop. Yet their faces showed the most joyful smiles, because they know helping others is the source of happiness. Being able to work hand-in-hand with people from all walks of life to save over a thousand compatriots in five days is their highest honor—they never ask for any reward.

He once frankly admitted that they are not professional rescue teams and inevitably faced many obstacles during the operation. However, they always gritted their teeth and overcame each one, advancing in the face of adversity with a spirit of courage to save others.

​Most moving of all, when receiving thousands of calls for help and knowing floodwaters might keep rising, Leong Mingda thought of those helpless and anxious seekers and couldn’t sleep at night. During a livestream on Tuesday morning, he broke down in tears, revealing the immense pressure and his overwhelming sense of helplessness despite wanting to help so badly.

This heartache and guilt precisely shows the heavy sense of responsibility and deep compassion that a leader has for the value of life.

​This spirit of Malaysian volunteer firefighters crossing borders to provide aid is widely recognized and deeply moving. Their achievements have been praised by various parties, including the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, and the Malaysian Embassy in Thailand, all of whom expressed their sincerest respect and gratitude to these ordinary yet great heroes.