Thailand’s Tourism Minister Oversees Support for Thousands of Stranded Tourists Amid Hat Yai Floods

Tourism and Sports Minister Attakorn Sirilatthayakorn conducted an on-site inspection in Hat Yai late on November 22 to assess the flood situation in Songkhla’s Hat Yai Municipality, where severe inundation in key commercial zones, residential areas, and surrounding communities has left large numbers of tourists unable to leave the area.

 

 

The Minister met with Hatyai International Airport Director Krisada Pukkasap, Songkhla Provincial Tourism & Sports Office Director Jirawadee Onwong, Songkhla Sports Authority Director Uraiwan Janlap, and other relevant agencies to coordinate immediate response efforts.

He instructed all related sectors to deliver food and drinking water to tourists stranded in their hotels. For operations inside Hat Yai International Airport, he requested the airport to set up a tourist assistance point, with Tourist Police and TAC officers stationed to receive reports and provide direct support.

Minister Attakorn stated that several hundred tourists are currently stranded at various hotels, as floodwaters are too high for regular vehicles to access the area. Deputy Prime Minister Capt. Thamanat Prompow, who oversees the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, has ordered urgent and close assistance for all tourists—both Thai and foreign—and instructed the Royal Irrigation Department to deploy ten-wheel trucks to deliver food, drinking water, and transport stranded tourists from hotels to evacuation centers or the airport, in coordination with Tourist Police operating 24 hours a day.

Regarding stranded passengers at Hat Yai International Airport, the Minister noted that an estimated 800–1,000 people may remain stuck over the next 2–3 days due to restricted access to the city. The Ministry has coordinated with the airport to establish assistance points and prepare drinking water, meals, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other essential items for those who must stay overnight. He also emphasized the need to ensure adequate first-aid services and restroom facilities. Tourist Police and TAC staff have been assigned to rotate shifts and maintain round-the-clock support.

 

 

“All agencies are working at full capacity—Songkhla Province, Hat Yai Municipality, Tourist Police, local authorities, and private organizations providing food and water—to assist affected residents and visitors. I expect the situation to begin improving over the next 2–3 days, provided there is no additional heavy rainfall, which will allow drainage systems to operate at full efficiency,” said Minister Attakorn.

He reaffirmed that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, places the highest priority on ensuring the safety of all tourists, both domestic and international, and will continue providing close support until the situation returns to normal.

During his inspection, Minister Attakorn also visited stranded travelers inside the airport—many of whom are Malaysian tourists traveling by private car, along with local residents unable to return to their homes. He requested the airport to enhance assistance points, offer guidance to tourists, and provide water and meals.

 

 

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