Thailand Orders Southern Airports to Prepare for Flood Warning

Key summary

The Thai Transport Ministry has directed all southern airports managed by the Department of Airports to prepare for heavy rainfall and maintain continuous 24-hour monitoring. This directive follows a flood warning issued for 10 provinces from October 23 to October 26, 2026. Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit announced the instructions on October 23, citing forecasts of continuing rain with heavy to very heavy downpours in southern areas from the Thai Meteorological Department. The Office of the National Water Resources warned of waterlogging, flash floods, forest run-off, and mudslides during the same period affecting Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Satun, Yala, and Narathiwat. Specific measures include assigning staff to monitor conditions around the clock, conducting risk assessments of airport grounds and access routes, inspecting drainage channels, checking pumps and electrical systems, and coordinating with provincial authorities and disaster prevention offices. Airport operators must obtain weather and water-level information from relevant agencies including the Royal Irrigation Department and local water agencies. Safety is the priority; if conditions are deemed unsafe, operations may be restricted or suspended. Narathiwat Airport has coordinated with Regional Irrigation Office 17 to prepare pumping and drainage systems, including plans to dredge approximately 4,110 metres of drainage channels. Other southern airports are reviewing contingency plans for emergencies involving personnel, equipment, and coordination with air traffic control, the Provincial Electricity Authority, airlines, and disaster agencies.