The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has reported severe flooding across nine southern provinces ‒ Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat ‒ affecting 92 districts and more than 798,000 households, or 2.19 million people. Thirteen deaths have been recorded so far.
In response, Phuket Province has deployed personnel, machinery and rescue craft to five of the hardest-hit provinces: Songkhla, Narathiwat, Phatthalung, Trang and Satun.
According to the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, the island has readied 136 personnel, along with a comprehensive fleet of disaster-response equipment, including 27 vehicles, 15 flat-bottomed boats, 40 jet-skis and three high-capacity water pumps.
Twelve official donation centres have been opened across the island — five in Mueang District, five in Thalang District and two in Kathu District — to receive supplies from the public until Friday (Nov 28).
Officials reaffirmed Phuket’s commitment to providing swift, continued assistance, noting that both government agencies and private groups are actively collecting food, water and essential items for dispatch to affected provinces.
Multi-agency support
The Phuket Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Regional Centre 18 has dispatched large trucks, flood-pump vehicles, motor-boat carriers and emergency water pumps, supported by 22 officers. The Third Naval Area has deployed small and large trucks, rubber boats, rescue prams and 56 personnel.
Phuket Marine Police have contributed two boats and eight officers, while local volunteer teams under ‘The Phuket Team Can Survive’ and the ‘Phuket Jet-Ski Club / Phuket Jet Ski Business Association’ have supplied 23 jet skis and 30 trained operators, including Phuket lifeguards.
In addition, the Phuket Provincial Damrongdhama Centre has opened hotline services ‒ 1567, 076-213203 and 089-2034276 — to assist Phuket residents seeking information about relatives affected by the floods in Songkhla and to coordinate requests for help.
Donation centres open across Phuket
To support the ongoing collection of relief items, Phuket Province has opened 12 official donation centres across its three districts, operating until Friday (Nov 28):
Mueang District (5 locations)
- Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation (Main Branch) – Call 1163
- Jui Tui Tao Bo Keng Shrine – Call 076-213243
- Put Jor Shrine – Call 076-213243
- Songkhla Association Phuket, Yi Teng Complex (behind Vachira Hospital 2) – Call 086-4714142
- Trang People’s Club, Robinson Lifestyle Chalong – Call 095-0709291
Kathu District (2 locations)
- Patong Municipality – Call 076-342600
- Trang People’s Club, Lotus’s Express Kathu – Call 095-0709291
Thalang District (5 locations)
- Loma Rescue / Phuket Kusonram Foundation – Call 081-8656222
- Kamnan Paisit Uthakkun Team, Thepkrasattri Subdistrict – Call 081-4760157
- Thalang District Office – Call 076-311046
- Srisoonthorn Municipality – Call 076-617803
- Srisoonthorn Subdistrict Village Headman’s Office
Officials are urging residents to donate essential items including rice, canned food, drinking water, diapers (for children and adults), medicines, sanitary pads, personal care items and cleaning supplies.
Chalong Mayor Samran Jindapol, together with municipal executives, council members, has volunteered to collect rice and dried food donated by local residents to support flood victims.
Donations of rice, dried goods and other essential supplies can be made directly at Chalong Municipality, where they will be sorted and delivered to affected families.
Residents who are unable to drop off items can call 081-6169799. Chalerm Kobthanakarn, Secretary to the Mayor, will arrange for a municipal vehicle to collect items from donors’ homes and deliver them to flood victims.
Private companies have also stepped forward. Nikorn Marine Co Ltd confirmed it has prepared boats, engines, dinghies and 100 life jackets for immediate deployment to Hat Yai, with President Ms Wirintra Paphakityotpat stating the company is committed to supporting rescue teams and affected families.
At the Fish Marketing Organisation in Rassada, the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Association, together with local fisheries operators, donated fresh fish, dried goods and drinking water to be transported by refrigerated truck to Hat Yai District. The supplies were formally received by Ratsada Mayor Jirayut Songyot.
‘Andaman to the Gulf’ volunteer kitchen
Phuket Vocational College has also launched a major relief initiative, partnering with Nikorn Marine, the Phuket Provincial Sports Association, the Phatthalung Association Phuket and the Educational Cooperation Network.
The college has opened its ‘Andaman to the Gulf of Thailand Volunteer Kitchen’ to prepare meals and survival packs for Hat Yai residents. Donations of rice, dried food, kitchen ingredients, bottled water, sanitary items and raw materials are being accepted at the college, while monetary contributions can be made via Krung Thai Bank account 805-3-13857-8 (Sudsapda Keng Dee Meejit Asa Phuket Vocational College).
“Every contribution matters,” said college director Dr Wittaya Ketchu, who urged Phuket residents to help send “support from the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand”.
Phuket officials emphasised that the island’s response is ongoing, with more personnel, equipment and donations ready to be sent as conditions evolve.
“Phuket is committed to helping flood victims as quickly and comprehensively as possible,” provincial officials said in a statement. “We will continue coordinating support until the situation in the South improves.”
Residents across the island are encouraged to donate through official channels and support relief teams working tirelessly to assist communities severely affected by the flooding.