Warnings of monsoon rains have heightened fears of renewed flooding among Hat Yai residents, many of whom are still struggling to recover from last year's disaster amid delays in government assistance and concerns over unequal access to aid.
The floods that struck Hat Yai last year caused extensive damage to lives and property in the city, long regarded as the economic heart of Songkhla province. Public frustration was compounded by what many residents viewed as an inadequate response to the crisis.
On July 10, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Hat Yai to inspect damage to the embankment along Khlong Ror 1 after the government approved more than 470 million baht in funding for flood prevention, water management and emergency response measures.
The premier, accompanied by several ministers, sought to reassure residents who have complained the government had neglected their concerns.
However, many locals say what Hat Yai needs is not a high-profile cabinet visit but concrete flood management measures and a more efficient drainage system.
Public confidence in the government's flood response plan remains fragile. While authorities have expedited repairs to embankments along Khlong Ror 1 and Khlong Ror 3 as part of flood prevention efforts, concerns persist over the condition of waterways that serve as flood retention and drainage channels before water is discharged into Songkhla Lake.
According to local reports, many of these waterways have become shallower due to mud and sediment deposited during last year's floods. Dredging operations have progressed slowly, raising concerns that floodwaters may take longer to recede during periods of heavy rainfall. As a result, Hat Yai remains vulnerable should prolonged monsoon rains hit the area.
The issue has also become politically charged. A Democrat MP recently complained that no budget had been allocated for flood prevention, prompting a public exchange with a cabinet minister, who accused local authorities of failing to submit proposals and budget requests for flood-control projects.
Hat Yai municipality has disputed the allegation, insisting that a significant portion of its proposed flood mitigation budget, including funding for water pumps, was rejected by the government. Municipal officials also said the city had been forced to use its own resources to address urgent flood-related problems.
More than 3,000 people have complained they have yet to receive government assistance. For others, the initial relief payment of 9,000 baht per household falls far short of covering the losses suffered by many families, residents say.
Complaints have also emerged over disparities in compensation for home repairs. Some homeowners reported receiving only 5,000–6,000 baht despite substantial damage, while others with similar losses were awarded 60,000–70,000 baht.
The Hat Yai Business Association has warned of a bleak economic outlook, noting that a six-month debt moratorium and zero-interest relief measures have already expired while economic activity remains sluggish and liquidity remains tight.
Hat Yai now trails Phuket and Surat Thani in several economic indicators. Business leaders say investors remain cautious.
The government must accelerate flood mitigation projects, ensure timely assistance for victims, and restore confidence in its flood management plans.
