Floods inundate Songkhla, prompting 10 sports events at the 2025 SEA Games to be moved to Bangkok.

BANGKOK, THURSDAY - The competitions for 10 sports at the SEA Games Thailand 2025, which were scheduled to be held in Songkhla Province, will be relocated to Bangkok. The flooding that has affected Songkhla and concerns regarding the condition of the competition venues after the water recedes are the reasons for this relocation.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, Chalitrat Chantarubeksa, stated that the decision to relocate was made during a meeting on Thursday (27/11/2025). The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the 33rd SEA Games Committee, Chaiyapak Siriwat; the Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn; and representatives from each participating country.

Besides concerns about whether the floodwaters will recede in time, the condition of previously designated locations is also a major concern.

All countries are concerned about whether the competition venues, especially those located in southern Thailand, can be restored in time. The SEA Games will be held in less than two weeks, with the opening ceremony taking place on December 9, 2025.

"Besides concerns about whether floodwaters will recede in time, the condition of previously designated areas is also a major concern. Some countries are also concerned about the potential spread of disease due to flooding," Chantarubeksa told the Bangkok Post.

On Thursday (November 27, 2025), Reuters reported that floodwaters were slowly receding in Hat Yai, the largest city in Songkhla Province and the worst-hit area in Thailand. The Thai government said 55 people had died in the severe flooding that hit nine provinces in southern Thailand.

Chantarubeksa added that each sports association is seeking new locations in Bangkok for the affected competitions. As the host, Thailand will also consider ways to provide compensation to participating countries as some athletes have already booked flight tickets and accommodations in Songkhla.

Initially, Songkhla Province, located in southern Thailand, was planned to be the venue for competitions and events in ten martial arts, water sports, and traditional sports, contending for 109 gold medals. The sports include boxing, pencak silat, football, chess, judo, kabaddi, karate, wrestling, petanque, and wushu.

Apart from Songkhla, there are 9 other regions designated as venues for the 2025 SEA Games. Match venues are spread across Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom, Chonburi, Rayong, Chiang Mai and Ratchaburi. Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla are the main regions hosting the match.

However, heavy rains hit Songkhla from November 19-21, 2025. Analysis by Thailand's Geoinformatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), as reported by the Nation, showed that rainfall in Hat Yai, Songkhla's largest city, reached 630 millimeters. This was higher than the previous peak rainfall of 428 millimeters in 2010.

This extreme rainfall, which is among the heaviest in several decades, has caused severe flooding in Hat Yai. Several areas are also submerged under water more than 3 meters deep. The heavy rain has resulted in widespread damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure.

The U-Tapao River basin, which flows through Hat Yai before emptying into Songkhla Lake, is one of the important river basins in the region. The upper part of the river basin is mountainous, with steep terrain, while the middle and lower parts are flat and densely populated areas such as Hat Yai.

This topography exacerbates the flooding problem, as the rapid runoff from the mountains flows swiftly into the lowlands without natural barriers to slow it down. Meanwhile, the dense urban development in Hat Yai prevents water from seeping into the ground, leading to further water accumulation and slower drainage.

In addition to the high rainfall, this flood was also preceded by stagnant rain. The rain fell continuously for several days without pause. This prolonged heavy rain saturated the soil, flooded the drainage system, and caused a continuous flow of water into the U-Tapao River, which subsequently inundated the local infrastructure.

The spokesperson for the Thai government, Siripong Angkasakulkiat, stated that the causes of the numerous fatalities due to flooding include being swept away by currents, drowning, electrocution, and landslides. The Royal Irrigation Department indicated that the rain and tides in the South have decreased and that the flooding will soon come to an end unless heavy rain occurs.