Thailand is reeling from one of its deadliest natural disasters in recent years, as massive floods and landslides sweeping across the country’s southern provinces have pushed the death toll to at least 145. The scale of destruction has intensified public anger toward the government, which critics accuse of failing to anticipate the severity of the disaster or mobilize relief resources quickly enough.

Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat announced the updated fatality numbers at a press briefing in Bangkok, noting that the death toll had surged dramatically within hours. Of the total fatalities, a staggering 110 occurred in Songkhla province alone, making it the epicenter of the devastation. According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, more than 1.25 million households and 3.6 million people have been affected, either through displacement, damage to property, or disruption of essential services.

The flooding represents yet another blow to Thailand’s already fragile year. In March, an earthquake in neighboring Myanmar sent tremors across Thailand, causing structural damage and public panic. In July, border clashes with Cambodia led to dozens of casualties and heightened regional tensions. These destabilizing events were followed by a marked economic downturn, with the economy contracting by 0.6 percent in the third quarter. Tourism, a cornerstone of Thailand’s revenue, has also been struggling to recover amid global economic uncertainties. Against this backdrop, the floods threaten to push the country into deeper economic paralysis, especially in the south, where major agricultural and industrial zones are located.

Siripong acknowledged that mistakes had been made in managing the crisis, stating, “The government can’t deny its responsibility.” His admission comes amid growing criticism of Thailand’s new administration, which has been in power for roughly ten weeks. The government has been accused of failing to issue timely warnings, underestimating the magnitude of the rainfall, and not deploying sufficient rescue personnel in the early stages of the flooding.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, preparing to contest an election next year, invoked special emergency laws earlier in the week in an attempt to speed up the government’s response. Despite these efforts, frustration continues to build. At a Thursday press briefing, Paradon Prissanananthakul, the minister in charge of flood operations, abruptly walked out when journalists asked whether the administration should admit to misjudging the threat. At a subsequent briefing on Friday, Paradorn assured the public that as water levels recede, “a big cleanup will be implemented,” though many remain skeptical given the widespread destruction.

The flooding is part of a broader pattern of severe weather that has battered Southeast Asia over the past week. Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines have also experienced intense rainfall and flooding, disrupting daily life and damaging infrastructure. In Indonesia, the situation is particularly dire: tropical cyclone Senyar has unleashed torrential rain across three provinces in Sumatra, triggering flash floods and landslides. At least 72 people have been killed, with dozens still missing and hundreds of families displaced, according to Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Sumatra, Indonesia’s primary oil palm cultivation region, now faces extensive agricultural and economic losses.

Meteorological forecasts offer some cautious optimism for Thailand. The country’s lower southern region is expected to see rainfall ease over the next 24 hours, although thunderstorms and sporadic downpours remain possible. The Meteorological Department predicts relatively dry conditions from November 30 to December 4, which could provide a critical window for rescue operations and initial recovery efforts.

The economic fallout from the floods is already being felt. Pranee Sutthasri, Senior Director at the Bank of Thailand, stated that the disaster has significantly disrupted economic activity, particularly in Songkhla and Nakhon Sri Thammarat—two of the hardest-hit provinces that together contribute roughly 2.6 percent of Thailand’s annual GDP. Cross-border tourism from Malaysia, which normally brings about 10,000 visitors into the southern provinces daily, has almost ground to a halt due to inundated roads and damaged transport networks.

Pranee noted that the overall economic impact will depend on the scale and efficiency of post-flood reconstruction efforts. The central bank is expected to review the situation during its next interest rate meeting on December 17, and some analysts believe the disaster may push the Bank of Thailand to consider a rate cut to stimulate economic recovery.

Independent assessments of the economic damage vary but suggest significant losses. Krungsri Research has estimated total losses from the floods at up to 23.6 billion baht, or approximately $734 million. The hotel and restaurant sectors, which are essential to southern Thailand’s tourism-driven economy, have reportedly endured substantial damage. Meanwhile, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has placed preliminary economic losses at up to 1.5 billion baht per day, underscoring the severity of the disruption.

Industrial damage is also expected to be substantial, though exact figures may take time to determine. Supakit Boonsiri, Director General of the Office of Industrial Economics, said that about 3,500 industrial manufacturers operate across the nine affected southern provinces. Many of these facilities may face extensive repair costs, production delays, or losses due to equipment and inventory damage.

As the government faces mounting criticism, public attention is increasingly focused on whether officials can restore trust through a transparent and effective disaster recovery strategy. Survivors in the hardest-hit areas have reported delays in receiving aid, insufficient temporary shelters, and a lack of clear communication from authorities about evacuation procedures. These reports have further fueled public anger and calls for accountability.

Residents in the flood-affected provinces stress that while natural disasters cannot be prevented, the scale of human suffering can often be minimized through timely action, stronger infrastructure, and better preparedness. Many have also urged the government to address long-standing issues such as poor drainage systems, inadequate early warning mechanisms, and the vulnerability of southern Thailand’s rural and coastal communities to extreme weather events.

As Thailand braces for the long process of rebuilding, the crisis stands as a stark reminder of the country’s growing exposure to climate-related disasters and the urgent need for stronger national resilience. With lives lost, livelihoods destroyed, and public confidence shaken, the government now faces the dual challenge of managing immediate recovery efforts while also demonstrating that lessons have been learned for the future.