Dr. Ae Suchatvee, leader of the Thai Khao Mai Party, has proposed six urgent actions that must be carried out within the next 24 hours to save lives and greatly reduce losses, highlighting that many areas have been unable to evacuate in time due to the rapid onset of flooding.
On 25 November 2025 GMT+7, Mr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, leader of the Thai Khao Mai Party, stated that the flooding in Hat Yai is severe and has caused extensive damage. He emphasized that the most critical factor in the next 24 hours is to manage the situation systematically to save lives as quickly as possible during the immediate danger, noting that many areas have not been able to evacuate in time. He proposed six actions for the first phase of the operation to be implemented immediately within the first 24 hours.
They begin with: 1. Establish a single, supreme command center to end chaos. Lessons from the Mae Sai floods and the Office of the Auditor General incident clearly show that delayed rescue efforts were caused by competing responsibilities, resulting in slow aid despite the potential for better coordination. To prevent recurrence, there must be one unified command center with comprehensive authority.
The recent Cabinet resolution declared a state of emergency management across Songkhla province, chaired by Supreme Commander Air Chief Marshal Ukrit Boontanon, with ministers jointly assigned as commanders. This will improve centralized command and problem-solving efficiency.
Senanurong Camp (Fourth Army Area) is the most suitable location due to its available personnel and land, sea, and air equipment. It can serve as a refugee shelter and a comprehensive rescue coordination point. Having a single command center will accelerate life-saving efforts and maximize effectiveness.
2. Identify safe routes using THEOS satellite data to immediately reduce risks. Rescue operations without accurate data are extremely risky because rescuers cannot know if strong currents, deep holes, broken bridges, or electrical hazards lie ahead. One wrong decision can increase losses. The government must promptly establish standardized color-coded routes such as:
This classification should use THEOS (GISTDA) satellite imagery to analyze water levels, flow speed, terrain, and road and bridge vulnerabilities. This data is crucial as relief convoys pouring into Hat Yai must safely reach their destinations.
3. Appoint a single spokesperson to provide accurate information from authorized officials. The clearest lesson from the rescue of the 13 Wild Boars is when Governor Narongsak "spoke alone," with no conflicting voices, preventing public confusion and aligning all units. Similarly today, a trusted leader—such as the provincial governor, the Fourth Army commander, or a designated official—should give updates every 3 to 6 hours with clear communication. Accurate information from a credible leader is the cornerstone of resolving any crisis.
4. Restore essential utilities immediately. The city must not be left in darkness with power outages, internet failures, or water supply disruptions, as these cripple rescue efforts; victims cannot communicate, request aid, or sustain themselves. Immediate actions include distributing generators to communities, reinforcing mobile internet towers, and establishing emergency drinking water points in every subdistrict and temple.
5. Conduct urgent phased evacuations to minimize repeated losses. It must be acknowledged that evacuation has been too slow, leaving many people trapped in high-risk areas. Going forward, rescues should prioritize according to international standards: young children, elderly, disabled, bedridden patients, and pregnant women first—before it becomes too late. Although rescuers are ready, they currently lack detailed equipment and precise victim locations.
6. Mobilize medical personnel with medicines and emergency supplies. Medical teams must deploy immediately, equipped with emergency drugs, treatment supplies, first aid kits, amphibious ambulances, and rapid response units. Field medical clinics should be set up at every shelter to treat evacuees, injured persons, chronic patients, children, and the elderly.
"Therefore, these six proposals are the most crucial measures during this critical hour and must be implemented within the first 24 hours to save lives and significantly reduce losses. I urge everyone to help Hat Yai overcome its toughest days safely and offer support to all frontline workers."