Hat Yai Floods Sink Southern Track, Passengers Rebook on Buses and Planes

Resilient travellers in the south have been forced off rail seats and into buses or flights after unprecedented deluges undermined key track segments. In the wake of days of torrential rain, more than twenty services have been scrapped and eight rerouted as the State Railway of Thailand races to shore up a washed-away embankment in Songkhla.

Tracks Undermined in Hat Yai District

Heavy currents near Ban Khok Mao have eaten away at a 200-metre stretch of embankment beside the main southern line. Local officials declared an emergency in the Tha Chang Sub-district after the water level rose above the rail bed, rendering the section structurally unsafe for train passage. The collapse occurred late on Monday night and halted all traffic between Hat Yai Junction and Khlong Ngae station.

Service Overhaul Across Southern Routes

On November 25, SRT announced a sweeping realignment that affects connections from Bangkok to Trang, Kantang and beyond. Eight local trains now start or end at Thung Song, while 22 long-haul and commuter services have been suspended until the corridor is deemed safe. Passengers who choose not to travel under the revised schedule are eligible for full ticket refunds, with no fees charged at any station nationwide.

Road and Air Alternatives Step In

To bridge the gap in the southern transport network, the Department of Highways has opened ad hoc pick-up points along Routes 4 and 41, coordinating with intercity bus operators to maintain links between key provinces. Meanwhile, low-cost carriers at Hat Yai International Airport have extended rebooking waivers and extra baggage allowances for affected travellers. Local businesses that depend on morning markets and day-trip tourists are scrambling to adjust timetables and capacity.

Embankment Repair Underway

Teams of civil engineers from SRT’s maintenance division are working round the clock to rebuild the washed-out section once water levels recede. Temporary steel supports and sandbag barriers have been erected around vulnerable spans, with geotechnical surveys set to begin today. While no official restoration timeline has been published, officials promise safety inspections precede any comeback of ordinary schedules.

Broader Impact on Southern Thailand

The southern railway artery is a critical spine for both commerce and culture, carrying fresh produce, rubber and coconut from rural provinces to urban markets. Disruptions at this busy junction during the high tourist season could ripple across supply chains and leisure services in Songkhla, Phatthalung and Satun. Community leaders are calling for clearer updates and faster repairs as neighbourhoods hope to return to normal within days.