Thailand's Meteorological Department has warned 14 provinces, including the tourist island of Phuket, of heavy rain and flash flooding from 10 to 13 November. The warning, issued on 10 November, names Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun among the provinces expecting heavy rain, and runs alongside a separate disaster alert covering 16 provinces.

The wider alert comes from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, which placed 16 central and southern provinces on flood watch from 9 to 13 November. It covers Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan in the central region, together with all 14 southern provinces: Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun. Authorities were told to warn residents in vulnerable areas in advance so they could prepare.

Rain forecast day by day

Heavy rain is forecast on Wednesday, 11 November, in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla. On Thursday, 12 November, very heavy rain is expected in Chumphon, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat, with heavy rain in the far south including Phuket and Krabi. On Friday, 13 November, very heavy rain is forecast in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat, with heavy rain across most of the south.

The department attributes the conditions to a relatively strong high-pressure system, or cold air mass, from China spreading over upper Thailand and the South China Sea, strengthening easterly winds across Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. It warned that accumulated rainfall could trigger flash floods and rapid run-off, particularly on foothill slopes near waterways and in low-lying areas, and advised mariners in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea to avoid thunderstorms, where waves may exceed two metres. Read the Rawai report on the warning and the Thai Times report on the flood risk.