Safety
Hat Yai Enhances Flood Prevention Infrastructure
Thai government officials visited Hat Yai to inspect ongoing flood management projects aimed at improving water retention and drainage capacity.
On September 1, 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Suriya Juangroongruangkit visited Hat Yai, Songkhla, to oversee integrated flood prevention and mitigation efforts. According to Khaosod Online Thailand, the visit focused on the municipality's strategy to manage water flow through retention, delay, and drainage improvements.
Key infrastructure updates include the Khlong Rian monkey cheek (retention basin) project in Kho Hong sub-district. Plans are in place to expand its storage capacity by 250,000 cubic meters, building upon the existing 530,000 cubic meter capacity. This project is designed to protect 103 local communities by better integrating the basin with primary canals. Additionally, the first phase of the Khlong Toei drainage efficiency project is underway, aiming to increase discharge rates from 160 to 250 cubic meters per second, with further upgrades planned for the canal's end to boost capacity from 63 to 91 cubic meters per second.
For residents and travelers, these infrastructure developments are intended to reduce the impact of seasonal flooding in urban areas. While these projects aim to enhance safety, the effectiveness of these systems during extreme weather events remains to be confirmed. Visitors should monitor local weather reports and municipal announcements during the rainy season, as flood risks can fluctuate depending on rainfall intensity.