Heavy rain in southern Thailand on 7-9 November 2026 could cause flash floods and mountain run-off in several areas. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued Announcement No. 9 (292/2569), warning of unsettled weather in upper Thailand and heavy to very heavy rain in the south. Residents of the south, and travellers heading there during this period, should follow the department's notices closely.
The warnings have come out as a series. They cover the same period, but the details differ between them. Southern details in Announcement No. 3 (286/2569), which came out before No. 9, may be changed in later notices. Treat the department's latest announcement as the main reference.
Upper Thailand: unsettled weather first
Announcement No. 9 warns of two things. People in the south should mainly watch for heavy rain. People in other regions should watch for unsettled weather.
In upper Thailand, the effects are expected in sequence during 5-7 November. They start in the northeastern region, then reach the north, the central region including Bangkok, and the east. Expect thunderstorms, strong gusts and hail in some areas. Rain may be heavy in places.
The notices advise people to avoid open areas, large trees and weak billboards, because strong gusts and hail can be dangerous. Anyone travelling between regions, north or south, should keep this in mind.
Southern Thailand: heavy rain and flash flood risk
Announcement No. 3 says the south will see more rain during the period. Heavy rain is expected in many areas, and very heavy rain in some. The difference is scope: heavy rain can be widespread, while very heavy rain is limited to some places. For that reason, the notice names provinces only for the group that may get very heavy rain.
The cause is another surge of cool air from China. It will spread over upper Thailand and the South China Sea and strengthen the easterly winds blowing over Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. That brings more rain to the south.
The department asks people to beware of accumulated rain, which can cause flash floods and run-off from the hills. Areas flagged for special care are foothills, areas near waterways and low-lying areas. If you live in or pass through such places, watch for rain that continues over several days. The danger comes from rain that builds up, not from a single downpour.
Announcement No. 3 also lists the provinces that may get very heavy rain each day:
- 8 November: Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla
- 9 November: Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat
This list comes from Announcement No. 3 only. The later No. 9 may change it. If you are in these provinces, in neighbouring ones, or travelling south, check the department's latest notice before you decide to go.
Rough seas: waves above 2 metres
For the sea, Announcement No. 3 says areas of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand with thunderstorms will see waves higher than 2 metres. The warning applies to thunderstorm areas on both coasts, not to every part of the sea.
Mariners are asked to proceed with caution and avoid sailing in thunderstorm areas. Anyone working or travelling by boat on either southern coast should check the latest notice before every departure. The wave heights and warned areas come from No. 3 and may be revised in later notices.
How to check the latest warning
The department publishes its weather warnings at tmd.go.th. The page lists each announcement with its number, so you can see which one is newest. When a new notice comes out, its details may differ from the earlier ones, so use this page as your main source.
For people on foothills, near waterways or in low-lying areas, the announcements say clearly to keep following the department's latest notices, beware of accumulated rain and avoid the risk areas named. They do not give more detailed preparation steps, and they do not give a number for reporting incidents. If your provincial authorities issue their own notices, follow those alongside the department's.
Source: Thai Meteorological Department, Announcements on unsettled weather in upper Thailand and heavy to very heavy rain in the south, No. 9 (292/2569) and No. 3 (286/2569).
This article is adapted from ViewNews' Thai-language report.
