TMD Warns of Five Days Heavy Rain, Flood Risks Nationwide
The user wants a short summary (1-2 sentences, 120-220 chars, max 240) in English for a local news site covering Ko Lanta/Southern Thailand. The article is a Thai Meteorological Department announcement (No. 8) warning of heavy rain for 5 mo
On October 20, 2026, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) announced heavy to very heavy rain across Thailand (effective through October 25, 2026), Announcement No. 8 (267/2026). From October 21-25, the South will experience continuous rain with heavy to very heavy falls in some areas. The lower Northeast, lower Central region including Bangkok and its vicinity, the East, and the upper South will see increased rainfall with strong gusts in places.
Residents in these areas are urged to watch for dangers from strong gusts, heavy to very heavy rain, and accumulated rainfall that could trigger flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides — especially on foothills near waterways and in low-lying basins. Avoid travel through repeatedly flooded routes, particularly low-lying areas prone to inundation.
The pattern is driven by a monsoon trough across the central South combined with the southwest monsoon covering the lower Andaman Sea, while a high-pressure system or cold air mass from China extends over the upper North, upper Northeast, and the South China Sea, causing easterly winds to prevail over Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.
In the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand, waves will exceed three meters in thunderstorm areas. Mariners in the Gulf and Andaman should navigate with caution and avoid thunderstorm zones.
For safety and to minimize impacts, the public is advised to plan daily activities and travel carefully during this period. Monitor TMD announcements continuously via www.tmd.go.th or call 0-2399-4012-13 and 1182, available 24 hours. The next announcement will be issued on October 21, 2026 at 05:00.
Daily affected areas: October 20: East — Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat. South — Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun. October 21: South — Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun. October 22: South — Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun. October 23: South — Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla. East — Rayong, Chanthaburi. South — Chumphon, Surat Thani, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun. October 24: South — Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, Narathiwat, Trang, Satun. October 25: South — Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun.
Precautions: Beware of strong gusts, heavy to very heavy rain, and continuous accumulated rainfall that may cause flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides, especially on foothills near waterways and in low-lying areas. Mariners in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea should proceed with caution; waves exceed three meters in thunderstorm areas and vessels should avoid those zones.
