BANGKOK (Bernama): Floods in southern Thailand have killed at least 33 people and affected more than 2.7 million across seven provinces, Thai authorities said.
Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said Nakhon Si Thammarat recorded the highest number of fatalities with nine deaths, followed by Songkhla (six), Pattani and Yala (five each), Phatthalung (four), and Trang and Satun (two each), based on data from the Ministry of Public Health.
"The causes of death include being swept away by strong currents, electrocution, landslides, falling into water, and drowning,” he said, adding that he also serves as spokesperson for the Emergency Flood Situation Operations Centre (EOC) on Wednesday.
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said flooding in the southern provinces has affected 2.73 million people as of Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, Siripong said the Thai government has opened the "Charity Relief Centre for Southern Flood Victims 2025” at the Don Mueang Air Force Museum as authorities step up efforts to coordinate public support for flood relief operations.
He said the operations centre has received numerous requests from the public offering to support relief efforts, adding that the scale of the disaster makes it impossible for the government to respond alone.
"Registration for volunteers opened today through the government application. The government will provide support for travel expenses, meals, accommodation, and fuel costs. Volunteers are vital to ensuring timely assistance,” he said.
Siripong said the EOC is urging the media and the public not to spread false information, warning that misinformation can cause panic, undermine public confidence, and demoralise frontline workers.
He also dismissed a false report circulating on Wednesday morning which claimed that a helicopter had crashed near a hospital.
"Investigations confirmed that no such incident occurred. We urge the public to exercise caution when sharing or reposting information,” he said. - Bernama
