Southern airports brace for Oct 23–26 flood risk in 10 provinces
Southern airports under Thailand’s Department of Airports must monitor conditions around the clock and restrict unsafe areas if necessary
- Thailand's Transport Ministry has ordered airports in 10 southern provinces to prepare for heavy rain and potential flooding from October 23-26.
- The order is in response to a meteorological forecast predicting heavy downpours, flash floods, and mudslides in the region.
- Preparations include 24-hour monitoring, inspecting drainage channels and pump systems, and coordinating with national and provincial disaster agencies.
- Airports are instructed to prioritize safety and may restrict or suspend flight operations if conditions are deemed unsafe.
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has ordered all southern airports under the Department of Airports to prepare for heavy rain and maintain 24-hour monitoring, following a flood warning covering 10 provinces from 23 to 26 October 2026.
Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit said on 23 October that the instructions followed a Thai Meteorological Department forecast of continuing rain, with heavy to very heavy downpours in some southern areas. Airports must closely monitor conditions and strictly observe safety standards.
The Office of the National Water Resources warned of waterlogging, flash floods, forest run-off and mudslides during 23–26 October in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Satun, Yala and Narathiwat.
Airport teams ordered to monitor conditions around the clock
Phattrapong instructed southern airports under the Department of Airports to assign staff to monitor and report conditions 24 hours a day throughout the warning period. Risk assessments must cover airport grounds, surrounding areas and access routes.
Airport operators must obtain weather forecasts, warnings and aviation meteorological information from the Thai Meteorological Department, alongside water-level information and flood forecasts from the Office of the National Water Resources, the Royal Irrigation Department and local water agencies.
Airports must also work with provincial authorities and provincial disaster prevention and mitigation offices to assess risks jointly.
Airport flood-prevention work includes inspecting drainage channels and removing obstructions, checking pumps, electrical systems and backup power, and preparing other essential equipment.
Airport teams must continuously track rainfall, water levels inside and outside airport boundaries, and the condition of runways, taxiways and aircraft parking aprons so that protective and corrective measures can be taken promptly.
Unsafe airport areas may face restrictions or suspension
Phattrapong said passenger and airport-user safety must take priority. If airport grounds or facilities are assessed as unsafe for flight operations, use of the affected areas must be restricted or suspended as necessary.
Airports must arrange the required notices to pilots and coordinate with air traffic control, airlines and other relevant agencies to manage flights and assist passengers. Accurate, up-to-date information must be provided continuously.
Narathiwat prepares pumps and dredges drainage channels
Danai Ruangsorn, director-general of the Department of Airports, said Narathiwat Airport had coordinated with provincial authorities and Regional Irrigation Office 17 to prepare pumping and drainage systems.
Preparations at Narathiwat Airport also include plans to request additional pumps and dredging about 4,110 metres of drainage channels to improve water flow and reduce the risk of water accumulating on airport grounds, Danai said.
Other southern airports told to review emergency plans
Danai said other southern airports under the Department of Airports had been instructed to review contingency plans and arrangements for maintaining services during emergencies.
Southern airports must prepare personnel, equipment and coordination channels with local agencies, including air traffic control, the Provincial Electricity Authority, disaster prevention and mitigation agencies, and airlines.
Danai said preparations also built on a meeting with the Transport Ministry in early October on transport contingencies and emergencies. The meeting focused on coordinating surveillance, closely tracking water conditions and establishing preventive measures to limit disruption and maintain appropriate passenger assistance.
