Safety
Royal Irrigation Department Repairs R.1 Canal to Prevent Hat Yai Flooding
Authorities are accelerating repairs on the R.1 drainage canal in Songkhla to mitigate monsoon flood risks and prevent a recurrence of the 2025 major flooding.
On August 20, 2026, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives inspected the R.1 drainage canal in Songkhla province to oversee ongoing repair efforts. According to Khaosod Online Thailand, this canal serves as a critical infrastructure component for managing water flow in the Hat Yai district and surrounding areas.
Suriyapon Nuch-anong, Inspector General of the Ministry, emphasized the need to complete these repairs according to the established schedule to ensure the system functions effectively during the upcoming monsoon season. The project is part of a broader initiative funded by the Cabinet, which approved a central budget for the Royal Irrigation Department to restore irrigation systems across five southern provinces—Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat—that sustained damage during the 2025 floods.
For residents and travelers in the region, these maintenance works are intended to reduce the risk of significant inundation. While officials express confidence that these measures will prevent a repeat of the severe 2025 flooding, the ultimate effectiveness of the drainage system during extreme weather remains to be confirmed. Travelers planning to visit Hat Yai or southern Thailand during the monsoon period are advised to monitor local weather reports and official announcements from the Royal Irrigation Department for updates on flood mitigation progress.