The Ministry of Interior is piloting the national flood response drill "C-MEX 26" in Hat Yai, testing the Cell Broadcast SMS alert system.
On 17 July 2026, Deputy Minister of Interior Je-sate Thai-sate presided over the opening of the 2026 National Disaster Crisis Management Exercise (CMEX-26) focused on flooding in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. He conveyed the concerns of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, urging all sectors to proactively integrate efforts and utilize modern technology for warnings and incident responses to minimize impacts on the public.
This national drill took place from 15-17 July 2026, organized by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) in collaboration with Songkhla Province and 119 partner agencies. It featured five main simulated stations, such as population evacuation, a prototype temporary shelter at Prince of Songkla University, and water rescue operations. A key highlight was testing the Cell Broadcast emergency message system, sending alerts directly to mobile phones in four high-risk areas of Hat Yai, aiming to improve accuracy and disaster response in an era of global climate crisis.
Je-sate emphasized the government's strong focus on Hat Yai, a critical economic zone previously hit by severe floods late last year. The Prime Minister firmly stated, "Floods must not cause fatalities due to mismanagement." The essential point is that all sectors and citizens must be aware of their roles during crises. Currently, the Ministry of Interior is preparing a central budget proposal to improve water diversion and drainage systems across the southern region to present to the Cabinet soon. DDPM Director General Theerapat Kachamat noted that Songkhla is the fourth pilot area after Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Phetchabun, aiming to build confidence and sustainable disaster preparedness.