The Thai economy is already under severe pressure, but people in 14 southern provinces, including Hatyai, have suffered even more. At the end of 2025, they faced a massive flood disaster with widespread impact. Nearly two months later, the effects remain. Besides requiring huge funds for recovery, what else does Hatyai need?
Although Hatyai Hospital has reopened to serve the public, signs of damage remain throughout, from rotted patient beds and mud-caked computers to millions of baht worth of damaged medical equipment.
Dr. Phet Chu Chai, Assistant Director of Hatyai Hospital, explained that despite resuming normal outpatient services (about 3,000 patients daily), the hospital and staff have suffered estimated damages of up to 1 billion baht. For example, the emergency room on the first floor was flooded up to the ceiling, damaging medical equipment and the room itself, totaling 150 million baht.
"We must revise future plans, such as relocating the power generator to upper floors. Heavy equipment like MRI machines requires new management strategies to reduce risk."
Meanwhile, Baan Tai School in Khu Tao District, which accommodates about 330 students, reported total damages exceeding 2.5 million baht, especially to teaching aids and computers submerged during a six-day closure. During the flood peak, the school also served as a refuge, with community members sheltering on the second floor temporarily.
Amid lingering damage, both the hospital and school require substantial support to recover fully. Allianz Ayudhya donated 500,000 baht to Hatyai Hospital and launched the “Repair and Restore Songkhla” campaign, leading efforts to repair Baan Tai School in cooperation with Mirror Foundation, restoring its library and learning resources for children.
During Allianz Ayudhya’s CSR activities on site, Lars Hybutski, CEO and Managing Director of Allianz Ayudhya Public Company Limited (AAGI), also volunteered.
He reported that in Hatyai District, Songkhla Province, the company’s total claims amounted to about 1 billion baht, mostly non-motor insurance (65%) and 35% motor insurance. Over 1,200 vehicles were damaged, with 800 declared total losses.
“Regarding the Hatyai flood in late November 2025, when water levels rose and flooding risk became evident, our team prepared and analyzed the situation immediately. We sent SMS alerts to customers ahead of the heavy rains, advising them to move vehicles and belongings. When flooding occurred on Sunday, we set up a war room and customer service team to monitor the situation. Once water receded, field teams assisted customers for the fastest possible claims.”
Before the flood, the company offered vehicle towing services to customers needing help. After the flood, they collaborated with local vendors to provide services like house cleaning. These protocols and services reflect Allianz’s global experience managing such disasters.
"At Allianz Ayudhya, we don’t focus solely on claims payments but emphasize prevention and supporting customers facing disasters."
In the long term, Allianz plans to introduce its Climate Risk Solution model from abroad to Thailand, with advisory teams guiding clients in site selection and building design to mitigate flood and natural disaster impacts. The goal is to avoid creating "no-insurance zones" like California’s wildfire areas or Florida’s hurricane-prone regions.
However, in insurance business terms, disasters like floods may increase risk exposure, potentially raising premiums worldwide. Yet customers’ premiums might not rise if they adopt risk prevention measures, such as the hospital’s plan to move its generator to a higher floor.
Ultimately, disaster damages are often enormous, and no budget can fully compensate all losses. Some may share risks through insurance, but urgent emphasis must be placed on "prevention" to reduce potential harm.
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