Hat Yai Flood Rescue Hit by Gunfire, Officials Map New Safe Routes
In the height of southern Thailand’s monsoon season, volunteers navigating flood-choked avenues of Hat Yai found themselves facing more than strong currents. As water levels rose, so did tensions: rescuers on jet skis reported being met with gunfire, hostile shouts and even bottles hurled at their craft.
Rising Tension Amidst Rising Waters
The calm of a rainy night shattered when three shots rang out behind a volunteer delivering rations to stranded families in tambon Khlong Hae. He later recounted the episode in a social media video, explaining that the darkness and narrow lanes made stopping impossible. The same district saw several other jet ski operators subjected to jeers and insults as they tried to reach submerged homes.
Waves of Misunderstanding
Local residents blame the rescue craft’s powerful bow waves for worsening damage to fragile structures. Many houses along canal banks feature floor-to-ceiling glass walls and decorative railings that can crack under sudden surges. Neighbors told reporters they feared that even a small wave could send shards of glass flying into their living rooms.
Voices from the Rescue Team
Volunteers emphasize that skimming at speed is essential to maintain steady momentum in fast-moving floodwaters. Slower movement risks capsizing or sucking debris—especially tangled ropes—into the propeller. Still, rescuers acknowledge they could improve communication with residents to avoid alarming those they hope to save.
A City under Flood Siege
Hat Yai, the commercial heart of Songkhla province, sits in a low-lying basin vulnerable to seasonal inundation. Recent downpours pushed water levels past 1.5 meters in some neighborhoods, overwhelming drainage systems designed for lighter rainfalls. With main roads submerged, local authorities enlisted volunteer jet skis to ferry supplies and evacuate the elderly.
Bridging the Divide
Officials and community leaders are now exploring a collaborative approach: marking clear safe zones for jet ski access, distributing leaflets about rescue procedures and stationing village liaisons to guide operators through narrow alleys. Such measures aim to defuse fear and channel residents’ frustration into coordinated relief efforts.
Lessons for Thailand’s Volunteer Effort
As extreme weather events become more frequent nationwide, the Hat Yai episode underlines the importance of cultural sensitivity and clear communication in disaster response. By combining technical know-how with local knowledge, rescue teams and residents can work together more smoothly—turning waves of conflict into currents of solidarity.