Phuket floods: heavy rain hits Patong, more downpours forecast until Wednesday

Heavy rain caused flash floods and landslides on Thailand's island of Phuket, Deutsche Welle reported on 26 October. The popular resort of Patong was hit hardest: water carried large rocks, mud and debris into residential areas and shopping streets.

Houses, shops and vehicles were damaged, the Bangkok Post reported, citing authorities. The district of Kathu, which includes Patong, suffered most. Rescue crews arrived with excavators and other heavy equipment to clear debris and open drainage channels. Patong's city administration set up emergency shelters in the town hall, a school and a hotel.

Warning of more rain

Civil protection reported flooding in other southern provinces as well. The weather service warned of further heavy rain until at least Wednesday. In large parts of Thailand the rainy season is just coming to an end.

Phuket, on the Andaman Sea, is one of Thailand's most important tourist centers, with about 14 million visitors in 2025, over 10 million of them from abroad; Germany is among the main source countries. At the end of September Bangkok saw severe flooding after days of rain, which also affected air traffic; the city declared a disaster for all 50 districts, and around 2.6 million people were affected nationwide, according to authorities. More in world news.