Phuket gears up with sandbags ahead of rainy season

Island braces for heavy rain, prepares for flooding by maintaining good drain flow

Puntid Tantivangphaisal3 weeks agoLast Updated: Saturday, May 17, 2025

588 1 minute read

Phuket gears up with sandbags ahead of rainy season — Photo courtesy of Siamrath

Phuket is bracing for the rainy season with a full-scale flood battle plan ready to roll out, as officials warn locals to stay alert and keep canals clear of rubbish.

Yesterday, May 16, Chalermporn Piyanarongroj, Permanent Secretary of Phuket City Municipality, acting as Mayor, announced preparations following the Meteorological Department (TMD)’s declaration that Thailand’s rainy season officially began on May 15.

To tackle potential flooding, the Phuket City Municipality Flood Prevention and Resolution Operation Centre has mobilised manpower, machinery, and sandbags ready for distribution in high-risk areas. Measures also include cleaning and dredging canals to boost water flow.

Phuket gears up with sandbags ahead of rainy season | News by Thaiger — Photo of Chalermporn Piyanarongroj courtesy of NBT CONNEXT

The flood response is organised into four focused teams: Command and Control, Operations, Support, and Situation Analysis. Their work is split into three coordinated phases—before, during, and after flooding incidents—to ensure a swift and efficient reaction, reported Siamrath.

Despite these efforts, Chalermporn urged residents to keep an eye on weather updates and water levels, especially in Khlong Bang Yai, through the municipality’s automatic LINE notification system @phuketcity.

“Please cooperate by not throwing garbage or food scraps into drains, ditches, or canals,” he stressed. “Blocked waterways worsen flooding and harm Phuket’s environment.”

The municipality’s message is clear: everyone must pitch in to prevent floods and keep Phuket’s canals flowing freely, protecting both the city and its natural beauty during the challenging rainy months ahead.

The TMD has issued a warning of heavy rainfall and possible flash floods across 12 provinces, urging residents to be cautious of landslides and forest runoffs.

Yesterday, the Department of Mineral Resources’ Geohazard Operations Centre, part of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, advised its volunteer network to remain alert.

The TMD urges caution as flash floods and forest runoffs threaten low-lying and hill-base areas over the next 24 hours.

Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Originally from Hong Kong, Puntid moved to Bangkok in 2020 to pursue further studies in translation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Hong Kong. Puntid spent 8 years living in Manchester, UK. Before joining The Thaiger, Puntid has been a freelance translator for 2 years. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and listening to music, as well as writing short fiction and poetry.