Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, along with cabinet members, visited the Na Khuan floodgate in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, to review ongoing efforts to prevent and manage flooding in the area, one of southern Thailand's most flood-prone cities.

The Royal Irrigation Department briefed the Prime Minister on its progress: dredging over 650,000 cubic meters of accumulated sediment across 7 canals, set to finish before October, alongside urgent repairs to a 600-meter stretch of the R.1 Canal by 23 September. Once complete, the canal will be able to drain excess water at a rate of 1,200 cubic meters per second, critical capacity ahead of peak rainy season.

Looking further ahead, authorities are also proposing 8 new reservoirs to boost long-term water storage capacity by over 16%, adding more than 200 million cubic meters of capacity. Two major projects — Khlong Kaeo and Khlong Wa reservoirs — are already included in the draft 2027 budget plan.

On top of infrastructure upgrades, a new early-warning system is in the works with local municipalities, using monitoring points in Sadao district to alert Hat Yai residents up to 15 hours before floodwaters arrive, giving people crucial time to prepare and protect their homes and livelihoods.

The Premier also met with residents to hear their concerns firsthand and reaffirm the government's commitment to keeping communities safe.

A city that welcomes millions of visitors is also investing in its long-term resilience.