Spotlight: What Happened in Thailand This Week [24-28 Nov 2025 GMT+7]

This week, severe flooding across nine southern provinces has become a major disaster prompting nationwide assistance. Meanwhile, the government declared a state of emergency under the Emergency Decree, announcing it in Songkhla Province after flood victims had been trapped in their homes for four days since 22 Nov. This delay sparked public criticism over the government's slow response and local leaders’ failure to promptly declare a red flag alert due to lack of data and complacency, resulting in delayed evacuations.

By late week, flood conditions began improving in some areas. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) summarized that approximately 2.9 million people across nine southern provinces were affected. Water levels started receding in Songkhla, Phatthalung, and Surat Thani, while rising levels were noted in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. The Meteorological Department forecasted continued heavy rain in some areas, especially Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Trang, and Satun.

Meanwhile, central provinces such as Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya also faced flooding. The Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported on 24 Nov 2025 that riverside homes across 12 districts remained flooded. A total of 65,238 households were affected, with 20 fatalities and 33 schools impacted.

In education news, Canva, a leading design platform, signed a partnership with the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) to launch Canva Education. This allows over 6 million teachers and students under OBEC, from kindergarten to Grade 12, free access to premium features.

Normally, Canva Education subscriptions cost 230 baht per month and offer thousands of educational templates. The platform supports real-time collaboration, connects with Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams, and integrates AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini.

For other news from this week, please follow the updates here.

Summary of Southern Flood Events

Two million households affected across nine provinces

Water levels receding in some areas, severe flooding persists elsewhere

DDPM reports 2.9 million affected in nine southern provinces; water levels receding in Songkhla, Phatthalung, and Surat Thani

Water levels rising in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat; Meteorological Department forecasts ongoing heavy rain especially in Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Trang, and Satun

Ayutthaya continues to face flooding affecting 65,238 households

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported on 24 Nov 2025 that riverside homes across 12 districts remained flooded, affecting 65,238 households with 20 deaths and 33 schools impacted.

OBEC partners with Canva to provide free access for teachers and students for three years

Canva, a leading design platform, signed a partnership with the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) to offer Canva Education, granting over 6 million teachers and students under OBEC, from kindergarten to Grade 12, free access to premium features. Normally, Canva Education subscriptions cost 230 baht per month, offering thousands of educational templates, real-time collaboration tools, and integration with Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, and AI technologies like ChatGPT and Gemini.

Flood Relief Center Director Apologizes to Media

After abruptly ending microphone access and leaving during questioning about government admitting management errors

Pradorn Prissanantakul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and director of the Emergency Flood Operations Center, apologized for cutting off the microphone and leaving when reporters asked if the government admitted mismanagement leading to losses. He bowed and expressed regret for not answering, explaining he did not intend to evade questions but believed the public should focus on relief measures rather than political issues.

Four prison officials dismissed

Regarding the case of women serving VIP prisoners at Bangkok Remand Prison

The fact-finding committee investigating the Bangkok Remand Prison scandal found four additional prison officials implicated, including one director of inmate control and three prison officers. They had clear evidence of being present during the incident and aware of the VIP Chinese inmate group's bribery of staff to gain privileges, notably allowing Chinese models to serve inmates inside the prison.

Appeals Court upholds lower court decision

Deportation of Vietnamese activist despite refugee status

The Appeals Court upheld the lower court ruling to deport Le Quynh Bedub, a Vietnamese refugee and religious freedom activist, back to Vietnam despite his UNHCR refugee status. The Cross-Cultural Foundation urged the government to consider human rights and Thailand's international reputation, warning this might be seen as cooperating with certain states in forced repatriation, violating international principles and similar to the deportation of 40 Uyghurs back to China.

References:Thairath,Thairath,Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office,Thairath,Thairath,Thairath,crcfthailand.org