UPDATE: Phuket remains under flood alert amid 70% thunderstorm forecast

Phuket remains covered by a Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) alert issued on 3 August and running through 7 August 2026, with authorities monitoring possible flash floods, landslides, strong winds and rough seas. The province was also among 20 covered by a flash-flood warning from 2 to 4 August.

Bangkok Biznews reported on 5 August that a later monsoon forecast put thunderstorms across 70% of the area and heavy rain in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket and Krabi. Nation Thailand reported that the Thai Meteorological Department’s (TMD) 3 August forecast had put strong thunderstorms across 40% of Thailand’s west-coast region, mainly Ranong, Phang Nga and Phuket. The TMD’s earlier 2 August outlook had warned of heavy rain over the following 24 hours and thunderstorms across 60% of western southern Thailand, including Phuket, Phang Nga and Ranong. The 70%, 40% and 60% figures describe successive forecast cycles rather than simultaneous conditions.

The Phuket News reported that Phuket’s second 2026 Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Committee meeting was held at Phuket Provincial Hall on 3 August and chaired by Vice Governor Pol Lt Col Khetarat Chansilp. The meeting outlined flood preparations in response to the heavy-rain forecast.

The Office of the National Water Resources warned 20 provinces to prepare for possible flash floods, forest run-off, landslides and river overflows from 2 to 4 August 2026. The provinces are Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Nan and Phetchabun; Loei, Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom; Chanthaburi and Trat; and Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

Residents near waterways, foothills and low-lying areas have been urged to remain alert, particularly in urban areas with poor drainage and other locations vulnerable to flooding and run-off. The agency said heavy rain could continue in parts of the Andaman coast until 7 August 2026.

The DDPM alert covers Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun. It is a separate six-province southern response alongside the wider 20-province warning. DDPM coordinated with the six provinces and regional disaster-prevention and mitigation centres for Region 12 in Songkhla and Region 18 in Phuket to monitor weather and local water conditions and prepare response measures. Operational teams and disaster-response machinery were to be stationed in risk areas so assistance could be provided promptly.

Authorities were instructed to issue warnings and prevent access to natural tourist attractions, especially caves, waterfalls and pass-through caves, if hazards were likely. Relevant agencies were also told to issue notices or install warning signs along the coast, prohibit tourists from entering the water and advise mariners, vessel masters and passenger-boat operators to exercise extra caution. If conditions appeared likely to worsen, they were to consider suspending vessel movements.

The DDPM alert cited an announcement issued at 5am on 1 August by the Southern Meteorological Centre (West Coast), titled ‘Heavy rain and strong winds and waves over the upper Andaman Sea’. The announcement said the strengthening south-westerly monsoon could bring more rain, with waves in the upper Andaman Sea reaching 2 to 3 metres and exceeding 3 metres during thunderstorms. Waves in the lower Andaman Sea were expected to be about 2 metres, rising above 2 metres during thunderstorms.

The earlier regional outlook expected temperatures of 23 to 26°C overnight and 32 to 36°C during the day. In the later west-coast forecast, temperatures in Ranong, Phang Nga and Phuket were expected to range from 23 to 26°C overnight and 33 to 35°C during the day.

The DDPM-cited sea figures came from the earlier announcement, while the later west-coast outlook forecast south-westerly winds of 15 to 35 kilometres per hour from Phang Nga northwards, with waves of 1 to 2 metres. From Phuket southwards, winds were forecast at 15 to 30 kilometres per hour, with waves around one metre. In the wider Andaman Sea outlook, waves may reach 1 to 2 metres in the upper Andaman Sea and about one metre elsewhere, rising above two metres during thunderstorms. Mariners have been advised to exercise caution and avoid stormy areas.