Deputy Transport Minister Orders Phuket Drainage Fixes After Floods

On October 30, 2026, Deputy Transport Minister Saraphan Bunyamani visited Phuket to monitor the situation and impacts from flooding and landslides following continuous heavy rain from October 26-29, which affected residents, businesses, and transportation in many areas. He was accompanied by government spokesperson Ploythale Lakkhana Saengchan, Phuket Governor Sophon Kiatisom, Phuket PAO President Rewat Areerob, Kathu District Chief Witthaya Chitsuphip, Patong Mayor Lalita Manisi, Kamala Subdistrict Chief Charun Kopkoi, Phuket Highways District Director Winnai Kumueang, Phuket Marine Office Director Adul Rakmul, and other relevant agencies to inspect damage, hear concerns, and discuss systematic solutions.

Saraphan revealed the visit was assigned by the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, and Transport Minister to track transport infrastructure issues affecting the public from flooding in Phuket, particularly drainage systems and transport routes requiring integrated cooperation between Transport Ministry agencies, Phuket province, and local administrations for immediate fixes alongside long-term infrastructure development suited to local geography.

In Kamala Subdistrict, Kathu District, two key issues were found: sea drainage channels are too narrow to handle large water volumes within 2-3 hours of heavy rain, causing flooding; and an old Highway Department bridge is too small with a central pier blocking water flow. The Highway Department has already surveyed and designed drainage improvements estimated at no more than 50 million baht, and will coordinate with Phuket province, the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning to seek central budget support. The Highway Department was also ordered to survey and design a new replacement bridge with wider drainage capacity. Meanwhile, the Marine Department was tasked to survey, dredge, and clear lower waterways to remove accumulated sediment obstructing sea drainage.

In Patong Subdistrict, which suffered severe flash flooding in multiple areas, Saraphan followed up on Marine Department operations after ordering Marine Department Director-General Krichaphet Chaiyachuai to direct the Phuket Marine Office to coordinate with Phuket Highways District, Phuket Rural Highways District, Phuket province, Phuket PAO, and Patong Municipality to urgently open drainage channels and mitigate flood impacts. Notably at the Pak Bang Canal mouth near Coral Beach Bridge — a key sea drainage point — accumulated sandbars were blocking water flow, reducing drainage efficiency from communities. The Marine Department coordinated with Patong Municipality to bring in machinery for dredging operations.