PHUKET –
Phuket authorities scrambled Monday morning to clear thick mud and debris blocking key roads in Patong after continuous heavy rain triggered flash floods and mudflows from nearby hillsides.
Our previous story:
Now for the update:
At 8 a.m. on October 26, 2026, Phuket Governor Chotinrin Koedsom directed Deputy Governors Suvit Phanseangiam and Romdon Hayeeawa to the scene. They were joined by Patong Mayor Lalita Maneesri, the head of the provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, staff from the Zone 18 Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center, and other relevant agencies. The team took command in Soi Nanai 5 and Soi Nanai 8 in Patong Subdistrict, Kathu District, where mud and water continued to pour down from the mountains amid ongoing rainfall.
Thick layers of mud from the hillsides had buried sections of the road, particularly in Soi Nanai 5, completely blocking vehicle access. Water from higher ground kept flowing into lower areas. Crews quickly deployed backhoes to dig out the mud and reopen drainage channels while additional personnel and heavy equipment were brought in to speed up the response and protect public safety.
Local agencies worked together to assist residents. Teams helped move belongings and property to higher ground, guided people to safer locations, cleared mud and debris, and washed down affected streets and properties to reduce further risks.
Patong Municipality opened three temporary shelters for those displaced or in need of assistance: the municipal offices themselves, Wat Suwannakhiriwong School, and the Patong Bay Hill Hotel. Anyone requiring emergency help can contact the municipality’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation unit around the clock at 0 7634 2600.
At 8:30 a.m., the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation issued a Cell Broadcast alert to mobile phones across Phuket. The warning urged residents to remain vigilant as prolonged rain could still trigger flash floods, mudslides, river overflows, and flooding in low-lying areas, along waterways, and on slopes. Officials advised people to move valuables to higher places, watch for electrical hazards, look after vulnerable family members including the elderly, bedridden patients, children, and people with disabilities, and stay updated through official channels.
Residents needing assistance are encouraged to contact their district chief, village headman, local administrators, or community leaders, or to call the national disaster hotline 1784.
Provincial and local agencies said they are closely monitoring conditions and continuing relief efforts. Officials strongly advised the public to avoid Soi Nanai 5 and nearby high-risk zones for the time being, as the roads remain impassable and further mudflows or flash floods remain possible while the rain continues.