Second Landslide Hits Phatthalung, Boulders Destroy Palm Farm
A second landslide in Phatthalung province sent massive limestone boulders weighing 30-50 tons crashing into an oil palm plantation, damaging crops and narrowly missing homes. Three households have been evacuated as authorities warn more rocks may fall, and geologists are assessing the unstable mountainside after days of heavy rain.
At 10:00 a.m. on November 13, 2026, continuous rainfall since the beginning of the week in Phatthalung province triggered a landslide on Khao Phlu mountain in Moo 1, Chai Buri subdistrict, Mueang Phatthalung district. More than ten large boulders, each weighing an estimated 30-50 tons, tumbled down and scattered across a local resident's oil palm plantation, damaging agricultural land. Some boulders landed just 2-3 meters from houses, but fortunately no injuries or deaths were reported.
Mr. Satit Makchit, head of the Mueang Kao Chai Buri National Park, together with officials from the Chai Buri Subdistrict Administrative Organization and the Phatthalung Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, inspected the site. They found the collapse occurred around 6:00 a.m. and marked the second such incident after a previous rockfall on November 11.
Preliminary assessment indicates the mountain consists of limestone, which has been eroded and weakened by heavy, persistent rain. Tree roots penetrating rock fissures may have further dislodged the large boulders.
Authorities have cordoned off the area as a hazard zone, urging the public to stay away from the foothills. Three households near the slide have been temporarily evacuated to safety after officials identified another 2-3 large boulders at risk of falling.
The Chai Buri SAO deployed a drone to survey the area and coordinated with the Department of Mineral Resources Region 4 to send geologists to assess the rock structure and evaluate risks for urgent prevention and remediation.
Local residents remain anxious, recalling a similar landslide in the Khao Mueang Chai Buri range about 5-6 years ago that crushed a monk's hut and killed a wandering monk. Officials are strictly warning the public to avoid the foothill area and monitor official announcements closely, as continuous rain maintains the risk of further rockfalls.
