Phuket swimming in severe flooding – no beach required | Coconuts
Phuket swimming in severe flooding – no beach required | Coconuts. Phuket swimming in severe flooding – no beach required Cars became submarines and condos...
*Two days of constant rain pelted the island and spawned flash floods that affected sites including Phuket International Airport, the Muang Thalang School, and residential neighborhoods.*
Published: 2026-03-14 17:55 UTC Event date: developing
Severe flooding swept across Phuket on Friday morning, submerging roads, homes, and key infrastructure after two days of relentless rainfall inundated large areas of the island’s northern Thalang district. Waist-high waters forced residents to abandon vehicles and left entire neighborhoods, including parts of Mai Khao and the area surrounding Muang Thalang School, under water.
The heavy downpours, which began earlier this week, triggered flash floods that disrupted daily life for both locals and tourists. Phuket International Airport was among the affected sites, prompting airport officials to advise travelers to allow at least four hours to reach the terminal due to the flooded access roads and ongoing rain. As of 1pm, the Blue Canyon Country Club was rendered inaccessible as floodwaters there reached chest level, further highlighting the scale of the disruption.
Residents reported being stranded in their cars as the rapidly rising water forced many to flee on foot. Local authorities responded by setting up emergency community centers, including one at Wat Nai Yang, to provide shelter and assistance to those displaced by the flooding. Phuket Governor Narong Woonsiew confirmed that efforts were underway to support affected families and coordinate relief operations across the hardest-hit areas.
Popular tourist spots and residential neighborhoods alike faced significant challenges. The situation around the airport and along main thoroughfares caused traffic jams and travel delays, raising concerns for visitors trying to catch flights or reach their accommodations. The flooding also impacted local businesses and schools, with Muang Thalang School among those forced to close or limit operations due to water damage and accessibility issues.
With thunderstorms forecast to continue through Saturday and into next week, authorities are urging residents and visitors to exercise caution and stay informed about weather updates. The Meteorological Department has warned that further rainfall could exacerbate the situation, increasing the risk of additional flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.
Local officials and emergency services remain on alert, monitoring water levels and coordinating with community leaders to provide assistance where needed. As cleanup and recovery efforts begin, the focus will remain on safeguarding both residents and tourists, ensuring that essential services and transportation links are restored as quickly as possible. Authorities will continue to issue updates as the situation develops and more rain is expected in the coming days.
Source: https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/phuket-swimming-in-severe-flooding-no-beach-required/
