Four key actions leaders should take during the Hat Yai flood crisis, despite the Prime Minister appointing Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao as director of the Water Management Center amid this natural disaster. Many residents remain stranded in flooded areas, prompting public questions about leadership approaches to managing this crisis, as government agencies still appear inefficient in their response.
The severe flooding in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, is the worst in 15 years since the major flood of 2010. Rapidly rising water levels and strong currents have prevented some residents from evacuating in time. As a result, many families remain trapped in flooded zones, anxiously awaiting rescue from government agencies, hoping to be moved to safety as soon as possible.
Government bodies and rescue teams on the ground face shortages of personnel and equipment, insufficient for the large number of affected people. This has caused delays in providing assistance, despite all parties working at full capacity. Additionally, many routes have been cut off by floodwaters, making access to some victims extremely difficult.
The government has requested support from provincial agencies and the private sector to supply additional equipment and rescue personnel. They have also established coordination centers and temporary shelters in safe locations to accommodate those impacted by the floods.
Meanwhile, many residents continue to closely monitor the situation. Several groups have expressed concern about the government’s relief efforts, questioning why preparations were insufficient for the scale of the disaster and why such flooding recurs. Some citizens believe the government should prioritize reviewing water management policies and disaster response systems to improve future prevention and assistance effectiveness.
On Facebook, Sasithorn Chalermlap posted about what should occur during this major flood crisis as follows:
1. Prime Minister
- The Prime Minister must establish a command center (War Room) at the Office of the National Water Resources to coordinate, decide, and allocate resources, using unified data across all agencies.
2. Minister of Agriculture
- The Minister of Agriculture must take responsibility for and oversee the Royal Irrigation Department based on scientific principles and facts.
- There must be a team of engineers to plan and control the opening and closing of water gates according to calculated models.
- A field team should be deployed on-site, with the minister monitoring results remotely and approving urgent water releases based on real data.
3. Deputy Prime Minister
- The Deputy Prime Minister must supervise and coordinate field operations to resolve specific bottleneck areas caused by policy obstacles, such as roads acting as barriers, unjustified water gate closures, or conflicts between irrigation authorities and municipalities.
4. Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office
- This minister must serve as the country’s main spokesperson, providing 1-2 daily updates summarizing the water situation and explaining flood developments.